Thu. Jul 10th, 2025

Scotland Dominates Nepal in Tri-Nation Series Opener

The opening clash of the T20I Tri-Nation Series witnessed a powerful performance by Scotland, who defeated Nepal by 34 runs. The match, held as part of the tri-series also featuring the Netherlands, saw Scotland’s batters and bowlers come together for a commanding win. The victory was anchored by George Munsey’s explosive 78 and Brandon McMullen’s supportive 42, with Chris Greaves leading the bowling attack. Let’s break down how Scotland asserted their dominance over Nepal in this entertaining encounter.

A Strong Start: Scotland’s Confident Batting Display

Scotland began their innings with intent, thanks to opener George Munsey’s aggressive approach. Munsey, who had not gone beyond 30 in earlier games, found his rhythm, smashing boundaries from the outset. His partnership with Mark Watt yielded 34 quick runs, setting the tone for the innings.

Although Watt was dismissed early, Munsey wasn’t fazed. He found a dependable ally in Brandon McMullen, and together they built a formidable foundation for Scotland’s innings.

Munsey and McMullen’s Century Stand

The highlight of Scotland’s innings was the thrilling 100-run stand between Munsey and McMullen for the second wicket. In just 9.2 overs, the duo dismantled Nepal’s bowling attack, with clean hitting and quick running between the wickets.

Munsey’s 39-ball 78 included a flurry of nine fours and seven sixes. McMullen played the ideal supporting role with a composed 42, allowing Munsey to dominate the scoring while keeping the scoreboard ticking.

Nepal Fights Back in the Middle Overs

Just as Scotland seemed poised to post a mammoth total, Nepal clawed their way back. Kushal Bhurtel broke the key partnership by dismissing Munsey, and Sandeep Lamichhane followed up by bowling McMullen just three balls later.

The quick double strike was followed by two more cheap wickets, as Scotland’s middle order wobbled slightly. Finlay McCreath and Richie Berrington fell in quick succession, giving Nepal a glimmer of hope.

Late Surge Lifts Scotland to 193/5

Despite the hiccup, Scotland finished strongly thanks to the efforts of Michael Leask and Matthew Cross. The pair added valuable runs in the death overs, with Leask remaining unbeaten on 26 off 17 balls and Cross contributing 17 not out.

Their late burst of 35 runs in the final three overs helped Scotland reach an imposing total of 193 for 5, setting Nepal a stiff target on a pitch that was beginning to assist the bowlers.

Nepal’s Early Collapse

Nepal’s chase got off to a disastrous start. The top order crumbled under pressure, losing four wickets within the first 5.1 overs. Bhurtel was dismissed by McMullen in the opening over, while Bhim Sharki and Aarif Sheikh fell to the precision of Safyaan Sharif, who ended with excellent figures of 2 for 7. Aasif Sheikh was also run out in a mix-up, compounding Nepal’s troubles.

This early collapse left Nepal reeling and struggling to keep up with the required run rate.

Dipendra Singh Airee’s Lone Resistance

Dipendra Singh Airee, Nepal’s most-capped T20I player, tried to steady the innings. His 33-ball 34 provided some resistance, but the lack of support from the other end made it difficult for Nepal to build partnerships. Airee managed just one four and one six during his stay, unable to shift the momentum significantly.

Eventually, Airee was bowled by Chris Greaves in the 16th over as the asking rate soared beyond control.

Scotland’s Bowlers Seal the Deal

Chris Greaves emerged as the star of Scotland’s bowling unit, finishing with figures of 3 for 27. He dismantled Nepal’s lower middle order by removing Lamichhane for a duck and Rijan Dhakal for 5.

Nepal’s Rupesh Singh played a valiant hand with 43 off 22 balls from No. 8, keeping the contest alive briefly. However, with wickets tumbling at the other end, his efforts weren’t enough. The innings ended in the 19th over when Lalit Rajbanshi was run out, with Nepal bowled out for 159.

Take Away

Scotland’s well-rounded performance in both batting and bowling ensured a comprehensive 34-run victory over Nepal in the Tri-Nation Series opener. The team’s ability to build partnerships at crucial moments, combined with disciplined bowling, helped them outclass Nepal. With this win and a superior net run-rate, Scotland topped the table, despite all teams finishing with two wins each.

The match highlighted Scotland’s potential as a competitive T20I side and set the tone for what promises to be an exciting series.

FAQs

Who was the top scorer for Scotland in the match against Nepal?

George Munsey was Scotland’s top scorer, smashing 78 runs off just 39 deliveries, including 9 fours and 7 sixes.

How did Nepal’s batting collapse impact their run chase?

Nepal’s top-order collapse, losing 4 wickets within the first 5.1 overs, put them on the back foot early. This made it nearly impossible to chase down Scotland’s challenging total of 193.

Which bowler made the biggest impact for Scotland?

Chris Greaves was the pick of the bowlers for Scotland, taking 3 wickets for 27 runs and playing a crucial role in dismantling Nepal’s middle and lower order.