KATHMANDU: Nepal national cricket team moved up to fifth place in the ICC Cricket World Cup League 2 standings after defeating Scotland national cricket team by six wickets on Monday.
Chasing a target of 195 runs at the Tribhuvan University Cricket Ground, Nepal reached 199 runs for the loss of four wickets in 38.1 overs.
Nepal captain Rohit Paudel remained unbeaten on 74 runs, leading the chase with a composed innings. He struck five boundaries and two sixes off 98 balls.
Paudel shared a century partnership for the third wicket with Ishan Pandey, who scored 55 runs off 61 balls, including five fours and two sixes.
Earlier, openers Kushal Bhurtel and Aasif Sheikh gave Nepal a solid start with a 58-run opening stand. Bhurtel scored 28 while Sheikh made 29 runs.
After their dismissals, Paudel and Ishan steadied Nepal’s innings. Vice-captain Dipendra Singh Airee was dismissed for two runs, while Arif Sheikh remained unbeaten on eight.
For Scotland, Mark Watt claimed two wickets, while Brandon McMullen took one.
Earlier, after winning the toss and electing to bat, Scotland were bowled out for 194 runs in 39.1 overs.
Brandon McMullen top-scored for Scotland with a quickfire 73 off 44 balls, smashing six sixes and six fours. Michael Inglis added a half-century, scoring 51 runs from 72 deliveries.
Other Scottish batters failed to make significant contributions, with George Munsey scoring 21 and captain Richie Berrington making 12.
Nepal spinner Lalit Rajbanshi was the standout bowler, taking four wickets after a long wicketless spell in recent matches.
Sandeep Lamichhane picked up three wickets, while Nandan Yadav, Sompal Kami and Dipendra Singh Airee claimed one wicket each.
With the victory, Nepal climbed from seventh to fifth place in the League 2 standings with 22 points from 27 matches.
Namibia national cricket team are sixth with the same 22 points from 28 matches but trail Nepal on net run rate. Canada national cricket team are seventh with 21 points from 24 matches, while United Arab Emirates national cricket team remain at the bottom with 14 points.
Scotland continue to lead the standings with 38 points from 31 matches, while United States national cricket team are second with 36 points from 26 games.
Oman national cricket team sit third with 31 points, while Netherlands national cricket team are fourth with 28 points.
Nepal will now face the United States in the final match of the series on Friday.
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