The Scotland T20I Tri-Series 2025 delivered another thrilling chapter as Nepal edged out Scotland in a nail-biting third match at Titwood Cricket Ground, Glasgow, on June 17. This contest was not just a battle of skill but a test of nerves, with Nepal chasing down a modest 98 runs target to claim a two-wicket victory in a riveting finish.
Scotland, who came into this match buoyed by a confident 39-run win over the Netherlands, faced a tough challenge from a Nepal side desperate to register their first points in the tournament after a heart-breaking Super Over loss to the Dutch. The hosts were expected to capitalize on home conditions, but Nepal’s spirited bowling and gritty batting turned the tide.
Winning the toss, Nepal captain Rohit Paudel elected to field first, hoping to restrict Scotland to a manageable total. Scotland’s innings, however, began disastrously. The top order crumbled under pressure, losing five wickets within the first five overs. Early wickets fell quickly, with Nepal’s Dipendra Singh Airee making an immediate impact by dismissing opener Mark Watt, who was experimented with as an opener for Scotland.
Despite the early collapse, Michael Leask stood firm, crafting a valiant 46 runs and trying to steady the innings alongside Matthew Cross, who contributed 33 runs. Their partnership helped Scotland reach 160 in the previous match, but this time the pressure was too much, and Scotland were bowled out for a paltry 97 runs. The relentless leg-spin of Nepal’s Sandeep Lamichhane was the highlight of the bowling attack, as he claimed four crucial wickets, dismantling the Scottish batting lineup and keeping the pressure on.
Chasing a modest target of 98, Nepal’s innings started shakily. They lost two early wickets and struggled to find momentum against a disciplined Scottish bowling attack led by Safyaan Sharif, who took two wickets. The middle overs were tense as Nepal’s batsmen found it difficult to accelerate, losing two more wickets by the 14th over. Captain Rohit Paudel fell cheaply for seven runs off 14 balls, a blow to Nepal’s hopes, leaving them three wickets down and needing 49 runs from the last 10 overs.
However, Nepal’s middle order showed resilience. Kushal Bhurtel, the team’s opener and one of their most consistent scorers, fought hard but was dismissed LBW by Mark Watt in the 13th over. Bashir Ahamad and Dipendra Singh Airee tried to stabilize the innings, but wickets continued to fall at regular intervals, keeping the match finely poised.
With Nepal needing 14 runs off the last 18 balls, the tension was palpable. Rupesh Singh and Kiran Thagunna took singles off the first three balls of the final over, inching closer to the target. Thagunna was dismissed on the fourth ball, but Sandeep Lamichhane, the leg-spinner turned hero, calmly took a single to clinch the victory for Nepal with 98/8 on the board in 19.5 overs.
This win was a significant morale booster for Nepal, who had been languishing at the bottom of the points table after their previous loss to the Netherlands in a gripping match decided over three Super Overs. Rohit Kumar Paudel remains Nepal’s top run-scorer in the series with 48 runs, while Lamichhane leads their bowling attack with three wickets in the tournament prior to this match.
For Scotland, the loss was a setback after their strong start in the series. Finlay McCreath, their leading run-scorer with 40 runs, and Safyaan Sharif, their top wicket-taker with two scalps, were unable to inspire the team to a second win. Scotland’s experiment with Mark Watt as an opener did not pay dividends, and the early collapse proved too costly.
The match was a testament to the unpredictable nature of T20 cricket, where momentum can swing dramatically. Scotland’s early dominance with the ball was offset by Nepal’s dogged batting and the brilliance of Sandeep Lamichhane’s spin bowling, which ultimately proved decisive.
Looking ahead, Nepal will be buoyed by this victory as they aim to climb the points table in this tri-nation series, which also features the Netherlands. Scotland, meanwhile, will look to regroup and leverage their home advantage in the remaining fixtures to secure the series title.
The Tri-Series format, featuring six matches in a round-robin, promises more exciting cricket as teams jostle for the top spot. The competition not only offers thrilling on-field action but also serves as a critical platform for associate nations like Nepal and Scotland to showcase their growing prowess on the international stage.
For fans in India, the match was available for live streaming on FanCode, though it was not broadcast live on television, reflecting the growing trend of digital platforms becoming the primary medium for cricket consumption.
As the series progresses, all eyes will be on key players such as Nepal’s Kushal Bhurtel and Sandeep Lamichhane, and Scotland’s Finlay McCreath and Michael Leask, who can influence outcomes with their performances.
This encounter at Titwood was a thrilling reminder of why T20 cricket captivates fans worldwide — a blend of explosive batting, strategic bowling, and nerve-wracking finishes. Nepal’s narrow win over Scotland adds another exciting chapter to the Scotland T20I Tri-Series 2025, setting the stage for more intense battles ahead.
