KATHMANDU: In the final stage of the ICC Cricket World Cup League-2 held in 2022 at the TU International Cricket Ground in Kirtipur, Nepal was at a difficult turning point. Facing them were Scotland and Namibia, both in excellent form. Before the series against Nepal and Namibia even began, these teams had already overtaken Oman to clinch the league title.

It was natural for a confident Scotland to aim for continued victory to maintain its status as champion. On the other hand, Namibia was also ahead of Nepal in the points table. For Nepal, those matches were a test linked more to its future than just a win-loss calculation.

To save the One Day International status obtained in 2018 and to secure a direct spot in the World Cup Qualifiers, Nepal was under pressure to pull off victories at any cost. The equation was clear: a loss could result in losing both, while a win was almost certain to create new history. Therefore, at the TU ground, Nepal found itself in a situation where it had to fight for its own existence against Scotland and Namibia.

Emerging amidst this high-pressure situation, Nepal delivered a courageous performance, securing thrilling wins by defeating Namibia by two and three wickets and Scotland by eight and three wickets. With these four wins, Nepal claimed 8 points for itself. That result not only strengthened Nepal’s journey to save its One Day International status but also bolstered its path toward the World Cup Qualifiers. Ultimately, by defeating Papua New Guinea and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) in subsequent matches, Nepal succeeded in creating another history.

By coincidence, Nepal has now arrived at almost the same turning point. To secure a place in the World Cup Qualifiers to be jointly hosted by South Africa, Zimbabwe, and Namibia next year and to maintain One Day International status for another four years, Nepal must pass a similar difficult test again.

The challenge is no less this time. From May 12, Nepal will compete against the top two teams, the United States and Scotland, at the Kirtipur ground. In such a situation, all-rounder Gulshan Kumar Jha states that the team must take advantage of all matches played on the home ground.

Nandan Yadav. Photo courtesy: CAN

“Our initial plan was not to lose any match on the home ground. We lost one match in the series against the UAE and Oman. The points table is very tight. Therefore, there is a challenge to maintain such a rhythm in the next series,” he says.

Before playing against the United States and Scotland, Nepal had played a series against the UAE and Oman. After defeating the UAE by 37 and 6 runs (DLS Method), Nepal collected 6 points by securing an 81-run win while suffering a 102-run loss (DLS Method) against Oman. With this win, Nepal remains in seventh place with 18 points from 24 matches.

United States in magnificent form, Scotland blocked by rain

The United States, which finished in fifth place in the previous cycle, falling five points behind Nepal, is in a different rhythm this time. In the 2019-2023 cycle, Nepal had collected 40 points, while the United States collected 35. In the current situation, the United States stands strong in the top position. Having collected 36 points with 18 wins and 6 losses from 24 matches, the United States has not suffered a loss since May 25, 2025.

The start for the United States, however, was full of ups and downs just like Nepal’s. After starting the tournament pleasantly with 14 and 50-run wins in both matches against the neighboring nation Canada, the United States then suffered consecutive losses to the Netherlands by 19 and 17 runs. After those losses, the United States has remarkably improved its game. Despite suffering two losses each against Oman and Scotland, it has maintained excellent rhythm by performing consistently and impressively in the remaining matches.

During its excellent journey, the United States has achieved four wins each against Namibia, the UAE, and Nepal. By also defeating Oman, which is in third place in the points table, and Canada in sixth place twice each, the United States has strengthened its top position by collecting 32 points in the last 20 matches.

In this impressive performance by the United States, the batting of all-rounder Milind Kumar, opener Saiteja Mukkamalla, and wicketkeeper batter and captain Monank Patel has become the main foundation. Milind, who has played 22 matches, has scored 1,017 runs with three centuries and seven half-centuries. He is 33 runs behind Scotland’s George Munsey in the list of top run-scorers of this cycle. While Mukkamalla has collected 874 runs in 20 innings, Patel has already scored 842 runs in 24 innings.

The United States is equally balanced in bowling. Junaid Siddiqui with 38 and Saurabh Netravalkar with 35 wickets have provided a strong foundation for the team. Due to balanced performances in both batting and bowling departments, the United States has established itself as the most dangerous team in League 2 this time.

Sandeep Lamichhane. Photo courtesy: CAN

The winner of the previous edition, Scotland, is being continuously affected by rain this time. Scotland, which is two points behind the United States, has lost crucial points, as 6 out of 28 matches were affected by rain. Forced to share points in two matches each with Namibia and Oman, Scotland also surrendered one point each to Canada and Nepal.

However, if only the position in the points table is taken as the basis, Scotland cannot be underestimated. Relying on the excellent performance of opener George Munsey, Scotland has shown its capability by defeating Nepal, which had defeated it in the previous cycle, as well as the United States, Namibia, and Oman.

Rain has been an obstacle in matches against relatively weaker teams. Because some matches that were in a position to produce a result could not be completed, Scotland has not been able to improve its position in the points table according to its performance. Therefore, although the team’s level of play appears strong, it can be considered that its journey has been somewhat halted by rain. Along with opener George Munsey, South African-origin batter Brandon McMullen and captain Richie Berrington have played a major role in establishing Scotland as a strong team. McMullen has scored 784 runs with three centuries and two half-centuries in 25 innings, while Berrington has collected 738 runs with two centuries and three half-centuries, playing two innings fewer.

In the previous cycle as well, the contribution of these players to Scotland’s successful journey was remarkable. Munsey had scored 944 runs with two centuries and five half-centuries in 29 innings. Berrington contributed 944 runs with two centuries and five half-centuries while playing two innings fewer.

The foundation of Scotland’s strong presence is not only batting; the bowling department is equally impressive. McMullen has already taken 35 wickets in 21 innings, while Brad Curry, who played 14 innings, has claimed 32 wickets.

Besides this, Mark Watt, who has already played in the Nepal Premier League (NPL) in Kirtipur, is also in excellent rhythm. His experience with the Nepali ground and conditions seems likely to provide further advantage to Scotland. Therefore, looking at the overall team balance and recent performance, there is a possibility that Scotland will once again dominate in this series.

Pressure on Nepal

If the last four matches are taken as an exception, Nepal has not been able to find its expected rhythm throughout this cycle. However, by winning three out of four matches in the series involving UAE and Oman that concluded on Tuesday, Nepal has shown signs of a magnificent comeback just like in the previous cycle. The Nepali team has started showing the ability to withstand pressure and produce results in difficult situations again.

Recent facts against the United States and Scotland clearly indicate that the upcoming challenge for Nepal will not be easy. In the previous cycle, Nepal had achieved three wins against the United States. While suffering losses in two matches, one match ended in a draw. In the cycle this time, the situation has completely reversed. Nepal has already been defeated in all four encounters with the United States.

Vice-captain Dipendra Singh Airee. Photo: CAN

In the first series held in Dallas in October and November 2024, the home team United States defeated Nepal by three wickets and 37 runs. After that, in the second encounter held in October and November 2025, the United States maintained its dominance, defeating Nepal by 106 runs and four wickets.

These results show that the United States has now become one of the most difficult competitors for Nepal. Meanwhile, the status of Scotland also appears different from the previous cycle. Nepal, which was successful in securing three wins while suffering losses in three matches in the previous edition, has this time won two out of four encounters against Scotland. One match was canceled due to rain, while in the match held in Dundee in eastern Scotland on June 8, 2025, Scotland succeeded in securing a thrilling two-wicket win.

Inside the Nepali team, there is currently a mindset focused on the process and preparation rather than just the result. According to opener Aasif Sheikh, focusing on one match at a time will be the most appropriate strategy for the team rather than a grand plan.

“Every match of the coming series is important. We are not thinking very far ahead. First, we will play against Scotland, apply our full plan there, and then move forward gradually,” he said. Nepal will play against Scotland on May 12 and 18. On May 16 and 22, it will finish the second series on home ground by challenging the United States.

In this cycle, 12 matches are still remaining for Nepal. Now, the challenge is specifically the series against the United States and Scotland. If Nepal can be successful against these two teams, it will move one step forward toward securing a place in the World Cup qualifiers with a journey of 26 points and saving its one-day international status.

If the expected results do not arrive, there will be no other option for the remaining eight matches except to return by performing consistently and excellently as in the previous time. In this as well, there will be a situation where it must depend on the results of other teams. In such a circumstance, it is clear that the remaining matches will give the answer to the question of whether or not Nepal can repeat history again.