Nepal’s batting woes continued as they suffered a three-wicket defeat by Scotland in the Namibia-Nepal-Scotland Tri Series of the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup League 2 in Windhoek, Namibia on Sunday.

Nepal’s batting line up was never comfortable against the pace and spin of Scotland at the United Cricket Club Ground as the Rhinos were bundled out for a paltry total of 137 in 40.1 overs. Gulsan Jha top-scored for Nepal with 29 runs.

Nepal have rested their hopes in the opening pair of Aasif Sheikh and Arjun Saud in the top order.

But Sheikh has toiled since his series-clinching 88 not out against the United Arab Emirates last month. He departed cheaply for seven, caught behind off Brandon McMullen in the 2.4 overs.

Saud has also struggled with

the bat since making his fairytale ODI debut when he scored 51 against the UAE in the opening game of the three-match bilateral series November 14.

It has proved a false dawn for the Nepal opener as he has managed just 45 runs in his three innings since having been run out for just 18 against Scotland.

Top order batter Gyanendra Malla has shone lately. He scored a career best 75 in the opening match against hosts Namibia on Friday only a month after recording a new personal high ODI score.

Malla provided the second highest score for Nepal with 25 but he too seemed to have no clue against the aggressive bowling of a strong Scotland team. Malla was caught by Kyle Coetzer off spinner Mark Watt (2-19).

Aarif Sheikh is considered one of the most reliable batters in the middle order but he too fell flat

for just 10 against the pace of

Chris Sole.

It was Sole, the standout Scotland bowler of the day with his (3-12), who pushed Nepal into deep trouble with two consecutive strikes in the 24th over when he removed Kushal Bhurtel for a nought.

Rohit Paudel has also failed to deliver in the international arena since taking over the duty of captain. His 17 against Scotland was the best score since he first led the national team in the UAE series.

Nepal were already reeling at 83-6 when Poudel became the third victim of Sole in the 25.2 overs.

Jha staged a late fight back hitting three fours and one six in his 29-ball knock but Nepal never recovered losing Dipendra Singh Airee (9), Karan KC (8) and Lalit Rajbanshi (3) and slumping to a low total.

In reply, Scotland, who elected to field first after winning the toss, chased down the target in 32.1 overs, thanks to a 47-ball 43 from Christopher McBride. But they, too, had a terrible start to their innings. McBride’s opening partner George Munsey scored 17, bowled by spinner Sagar Dhakal in the 2.6 overs.

Kyle Coetzer, who has scored over 2,900 runs in 76 ODI innings including five centuries, was out cheaply for 3, caught by Airee off Jha. Captain Richie Berrington also departed scoring just 3 runs after Jha struck.

The opener was next to go, stumped by Saud in the 16.5 overs as Scotland were in trouble at 79-4.

But the target was too easy. McMullen (32 off 34 balls) and Leask (22 off 29 balls) then hit back with a brisk and steady pace to guide the Scots to 143-7.

Nepal’s first match of the Namibia Tour yielded no result after the rain washed out the second innings.

The win sent Scotland above Oman on the top of seven-team League 2 standings on net run rate with 44 points from 30 matches.

Oman have played all 36 games.

The win also confirms Scotland a place in the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup 2023 Qualifiers in Zimbabwe next year.

The loss pits Nepal in the sixth position with 18 points from 22 matches, leaving them a huge task in their remaining matches.

The bottom four sides will enter the qualifier playoffs—a repechage event to the Global Qualifier—and will be joined by the winner of Challenge League A and B. The top two teams from the playoff will keep their hopes alive of participating in India 2023.

Nepal will meet Namibia on Wednesday and Scotland on Thursday in the second round matches. Scotland face Namibia on Monday.