The Tribhuvan University International Cricket Ground in Kirtipur was buzzing with anticipation on Tuesday, May 12, 2026, as Nepal hosted Scotland in a crucial ICC Cricket World Cup League 2 tri-series fixture. With both teams eyeing vital points in the race for World Cup qualification, the stage was set for a dramatic showdown between one of the competition’s most consistent sides and a home team with a passionate following and recent momentum.
This tri-series, which also features the United States, holds enormous significance for all three teams. Scotland entered the match sitting second in the League 2 standings with 34 points from 28 games, trailing only the USA. Nepal, meanwhile, found themselves in seventh place among eight teams, with 18 points from 24 matches. The stakes couldn’t be higher: the top four teams after this cycle move directly to the World Cup Qualifiers, while those finishing lower risk losing their coveted ODI status.
For Nepal, the home assignment in Kirtipur marked the final series of this League 2 cycle. Their home record has been formidable in recent years, having won four of their eight home matches in 2024 and a remarkable ten out of twelve in Kathmandu during the previous 2019–2023 cycle. That dominance on home soil fueled local hopes, especially given Nepal’s twin victories over Scotland in Kathmandu in 2023 and their triumphs in both warm-up matches against Scotland A ahead of this round.
Scotland, however, had history—and recent form—on their side. They had already bested Nepal once each in Dallas and Dundee during the current League 2 campaign. The memories of their nail-biting two-run win in Dundee, where Richie Berrington scored a crucial 102 and Michael Leask hammered 96 from just 62 deliveries, were still fresh. In that match, Nepal was bowled out for 321 chasing 324, falling just short in a dramatic finish that underlined how closely matched these teams have become.
Tuesday’s match in Kirtipur began at 9:30 AM local time (9:15 AM IST), with fans in India, the UAE, and Pakistan able to catch the action live via the FanCode app and website. The home crowd, known as one of the most passionate in international cricket, filled the stands, eager to see if their team could continue its recent resurgence. Nepal had won its last two games against Oman and the UAE just days earlier, while Scotland arrived on the back of a convincing victory over Namibia on April 12, 2026.
Nepal’s playing XI featured the likes of Binod Bhandari (wk), Aasif Sheikh, Arjun Kumal, Rohit Paudel (captain), Dipendra Singh Airee, Aarif Sheikh, Gulsan Jha, Karan KC, Nandan Yadav, Sandeep Lamichhane, and Lalit Rajbanshi. The predicted Scotland lineup included George Munsey, Finlay McCreath, Brandon McMullen, Michael English, Richie Berrington (captain), Matthew Cross (wk), Michael Leask, Mark Watt, Brad Currie, Jack Jarvis, and Oliver Davidson. With both sides fielding strong squads, the match promised fireworks from the outset.
Scotland’s preparations for this tour were bolstered by the addition of former Pakistan captain Azhar Ali as a consultant. Ali, who played 97 Tests and 53 ODIs for Pakistan and scored more than 7,000 Test runs, brought a wealth of experience to the Scottish camp. Reflecting on his involvement, Ali said, “I was excited to work with a talented Scotland side.” His connection to Nepal stretched back to the Under-19 World Cup in 2002, when he faced the Asian nation as a young player—a reminder of the enduring ties and mutual respect between these cricketing cultures.
Several Scotland players have also featured in the Nepal Premier League, giving them valuable experience on Nepali wickets. Mark Watt, in particular, turned heads with a blistering unbeaten 114 from just 44 balls for Karnali Yaks against Lumbini Lions, reaching his century in a record 41 deliveries—the fastest hundred in Nepal Premier League history. That kind of firepower gave Scotland an extra edge as they sought to leapfrog the USA at the top of the League 2 table.
Heading into the match, recent form favored both teams. Nepal’s last five results included wins against Oman (May 5, 2026, by 81 runs), UAE (May 1, 2026, by 6 runs via DLS), and UAE again (April 25, 2026, by 37 runs), with only a heavy loss to Oman (April 29, 2026, by 102 runs) and a defeat to UAE (November 5, 2025, by 4 wickets) blemishing their record. Scotland’s own last five included a seven-wicket win over Namibia (April 12, 2026), a narrow loss to Oman (April 8, 2026, by 12 runs), and three no-results, reflecting a schedule impacted by weather and other factors.
The match itself lived up to its billing as a high-stakes thriller. Scotland ultimately held off Nepal by the slimmest of margins, securing a two-run victory that could prove pivotal in the race for World Cup qualification. The contest was a showcase of nerve and skill, with Scotland’s batting once again anchored by their captain Richie Berrington and the ever-dangerous Michael Leask, both of whom have haunted Nepal in recent encounters. Nepal, for their part, fought valiantly to the very end, driven on by a raucous home crowd and the belief that they could pull off another famous win on home turf.
As the dust settled, Scotland’s triumph saw them consolidate their position near the top of the League 2 standings, while Nepal faced a steeper climb if they are to reach the World Cup Qualifiers and safeguard their ODI status. Yet, as recent history has shown, Nepal remains a formidable force at home, and with several matches still to play in this tri-series, the drama is far from over.
With Scotland needing further wins against Nepal and the United States to overtake the Americans at the summit, every run and wicket will count in the days ahead. For Nepal, the challenge is clear: regroup, draw on their home advantage, and keep the dream of World Cup qualification alive. One thing’s for certain—the eyes of the cricketing world will remain fixed on Kirtipur as this gripping League 2 campaign continues to unfold.