In an exciting ICC Cricket World Cup League 2 match at Forthill, Dundee, Nepal secured an amazing one-wicket win against Scotland in a record chase of 297 runs - Nepal's highest successful ODI chase ever. After Nepal had moved from 152-2 to 192-7 after Scotland's Brandon McMullen (3-47) sparked a collapse, all-rounder Karan KC came in to bat at nine and turned the game with a huge knock of 65* from only 41 balls, with four sixes and three fours, as Nepal edged to an amazing finish amid passionate fans waiting as the final over approached.

After Nepal had won the toss and elected to field, Scotland had posted a formidable 296-7 innings, with Charlie Tear (80), Finlay McCreath (55), and Richie Berrington (40), and vital contributions were also made by Matthew Cross (39). Nepal's bowlers, led by Karan KC (2-43) and Sompal Kami (2-66), were able to control the damaging runs that Scotland could have made, but chasing 297 was always going to be a tall order. Nepal’s reply started strongly with Kushal Bhurtel’s 53 and Bhim Sharki’s 40, but the loss of key wickets, including captain Rohit Paudel, shifted momentum until Karan’s heroics reignited hope.

The final over, delivered by Mark Watt, was pure theater; needing 7 runs with only two wickets in hand, Nepal lost Sandeep Lamichhane on Watt's first ball, stumped by George Munsey. A wide and a single held Karan on strike, requiring five runs from three balls. Karan hit two twos, making scores level before Watt’s second wide—a hefty wide, which might have brushed Karan’s pad—sealed the win, sparking a pitch invasion by jubilant Nepal fans.

A Defining Victory

This stunning upset saw Nepal, ranked second from the bottom in the League 2 table and four places below Scotland, overcome a recent loss to a Scotland A side in a warm-up match. Karan KC's all-round effort, which saw him take 2-43 and record a winning score of 65*, has brought him wide acclaim for his poise under pressure. This result has given Nepal's campaign a new lease on life, with the potential to shake up the League 2 picture.

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After this historic win, Nepal will move on to their next ODI tri-series match against the Netherlands on Wednesday at Forthill, even keener to win. The win not only represents a boost in confidence, but it also suggests they can challenge higher-ranked teams during the World Cup qualifying process.