Kathmandu: Leg spinner Sandeep Lamichhane scripted history by becoming the fastest bowler to claim 150 ODI wickets as Nepal registered a commanding six-wicket victory over Scotland in the ongoing ICC World Cup League 2 (WCL-2) tri-series at the TU Cricket Stadium on Monday.

Opting to bat first, Scotland were bowled out for 194 in 39.1 overs, courtesy of impressive spells from spin duo Lalit Rajbanshi and Lamichhane, who shared seven wickets between them.

In reply, captain Rohit Paudel and rising batter Ishan Pandey struck half-centuries as Nepal comfortably chased down the target in 38.1 overs, reaching 199-4 to secure their second consecutive victory in the tri-series.

Scotland innings

Scotland suffered an early setback after opener Finlay McCreath was trapped leg-before by Dipendra Singh Airee for six. However, Brandon McMullen launched a counterattack with a blistering 73 off just 44 deliveries, smashing six boundaries and six sixes.

Lamichhane ended McMullen’s entertaining knock after having him caught by Ishan Pandey.

Michael English was the other notable contributor for Scotland, scoring 51 off 72 balls with four boundaries and a six before he was dismissed by medium pacer Nandan Yadav, caught by Sompal Kami.

Opener George Munsey made 21 off 31, Mark Watt contributed 20 off 34, while captain Richie Berrington added 12 off 15 as Scotland struggled to build substantial partnerships.

Lamichhane’s historic milestone

Lamichhane etched his name into the record books after dismissing Brandon McMullen for his second wicket of the match, becoming the fastest bowler to reach 150 ODI wickets.

The 26-year-old achieved the feat in just 73 matches, surpassing the previous record held by Australian pace spearhead Mitchell Starc, who reached the milestone in 77 matches in 2019.

Lamichhane finished with figures of 3-47 from his 10 overs. However, left-arm spinner Lalit Rajbanshi emerged as Nepal’s standout bowler with 4-32 in eight overs and was adjudged player of the match.

Sompal Kami, Dipendra Singh Airee and Nandan Yadav chipped in with a wicket apiece.

Nepal’s chase

Captain Rohit Paudel anchored the chase with an unbeaten 74 off 98 balls, hitting five boundaries and two sixes. He stitched together a crucial 104-run partnership for the third wicket with Ishan Pandey, who continued his fine start to ODI cricket with a fluent 61 off 55 deliveries.

Pandey, who made his debut against the United States in the previous match, struck five fours and two sixes before being caught and bowled by Mark Watt.

Earlier, openers Aasif Sheikh and Kushal Bhurtel shared a 58-run opening stand. Aasif scored 29 while Bhurtel contributed 28.

Dipendra Singh Airee departed for two, while Aarif Sheikh remained unbeaten on eight runs.

For Scotland, Mark Watt returned figures of 2-58 from his 10 overs, while Brandon McMullen claimed 1-5 in a tidy three-over spell that included a maiden.

Nepal climb to fifth

The victory, following Nepal’s emphatic nine-wicket triumph over the United States, lifted the hosts two places up the WCL-2 standings to fifth position with 22 points from 27 matches. Nepal have now won 10 matches, lost 15, while two games ended without a result.

Scotland remain at the top of the standings with 38 points from 31 matches, while the United States sit second with 36 points from 26 games.