Nepal produced an impressive run in the ICC Cricket World Cup League 2 during their recent tour of Scotland, while registering mixed results in the Tri-Nation T20I series. The dramatic match against the Netherlands, which extended into a third Super Over, captured global attention and showcased Nepal’s growing grit.
After a seven-month break from ODI cricket, Nepal made a solid return by climbing the League 2 points table and showing strong promise in T20I format as well. The team had previously struggled in home conditions—faltering against Canada and the USA at TU Cricket Ground—and was in desperate need of a turnaround to retain their ODI status. This tour to Scotland was a mission to reset.
As an Associate Member, Nepal has had limited exposure to European conditions. Competing against League 2’s strongest teams—Scotland and the Netherlands—posed a serious challenge. However, the Cricket Association of Nepal (CAN) made a timely and strategic decision to schedule a preparatory match against Scotland ‘A’, which played a crucial role in helping Nepal’s players acclimatize to the conditions and showcase their capabilities.
For head coach Stuart Law, this tour was also a test of his strategy: to create specific match scenarios and select players accordingly. Nepal’s two major goals were clear—climb out of poor form in the League 2 standings, and build a confident unit ahead of the T20 World Cup Asia Qualifier.
And they largely succeeded.
Nepal’s performance in overseas conditions—often criticized in the past—showed marked improvement. The team won 3 out of 4 League 2 matches, losing the fourth by just 2 runs. This result marked Nepal’s best-ever League 2 series on foreign soil. The squad demonstrated excellent batting depth and sharp bowling execution, even under pressure.
One of the biggest positives was Sandeep Lamichhane, who had been struggling for form but found rhythm again during this series—reviving optimism about Nepal’s bowling strength moving forward.
A defining moment came when Nepal clinched a one-wicket win against hosts Scotland. That comeback victory illustrated Nepal’s resilience and growth in the middle and lower order. Karan KC made a powerful statement with his explosive lower-order batting, proving his versatility and critical role.
With three wins in the League 2 series, Nepal collected six points, narrowing the gap with sixth-placed Namibia. Nepal now has 12 points from 16 matches and sits in seventh place—16 points behind leaders USA.
Another tactical masterstroke from coach Stuart Law was using Dipendra Singh Airee in the powerplay as a bowler—something few had expected. Airee delivered five wickets across the two series, proving the strategy effective.
In the T20I Tri-Nation Series, Nepal debuted three players: Kiran Kumar Thagunna, Rupesh Singh, and Bhim Sharki. Thagunna played all four matches, picked up 2 wickets, and also scored an unbeaten 43—hinting at his potential as an all-rounder. While Bhim Sharki had an average start, he showed glimpses of promise.
Nepal won two and lost two matches in the T20I series. Despite the mixed results, the squad displayed impressive fighting spirit and a growing sense of confidence. Under Stuart Law’s leadership, the team appears to be maturing both in mindset and in character.
However, some long-standing issues still linger. Instability at the top order persists. Death bowling needs improvement. And dropped catches in high-pressure moments could cost Nepal dearly in key matches.