Sandeep Lamichhane produced a decisive middle-overs spell after an explosive start from George Munsey as Scotland posted 243-8 against Nepal in the opening match of the ICC Cricket World Cup League 2 tri-series at the Tribhuvan University International Cricket Ground in Kirtipur on Tuesday.

After electing to bat first, Scotland appeared set for a much bigger total as Munsey dominated the powerplay with an aggressive 75 from 62 deliveries, hitting 12 fours and two sixes.

Scotland raced to 60 without loss in the first 10 overs and crossed 100 in the 19th over, with Munsey bringing up his half-century from just 34 balls.

Nepal, however, dragged themselves back into the contest through Lamichhane, who dismantled Scotland’s middle order and finished with 4 for 41 from his 10 overs.

Munsey was the first to fall, caught by Dipendra Singh Airee off Lamichhane at the team’s total of 114 runs in the 21st over. The leg-spinner then trapped Finlay McCreath lbw for 35 in the same over before removing Brandon McMullen and Scotland captain Richie Berrington cheaply.

From 114 without loss, Scotland slipped to 128-4 within four overs.

Michael English then steadied the innings with an unbeaten 34 from 72 balls, while wicketkeeper Matthew Cross added 18.

Late acceleration from Mark Watt and Michael Leask lifted Scotland past 240. Watt struck 24 from 18 balls, including two sixes, before falling to Karan KC, while Leask hit 29 from 23 deliveries before being bowled by Nandan Yadav in the penultimate over.

Karan took 2 for 51, while Yadav claimed one wicket. Lalit Rajbanshi bowled economically, conceding 33 runs in 10 overs without taking a wicket, and Gulsan Jha also kept the scoring in check with figures of 0 for 27 from seven overs.

The match marks the beginning of a crucial tri-series for Nepal, who entered the competition under pressure to protect their ODI status. The United States lead the League 2 standings with 36 points from 24 matches, while Scotland are second with 34 points from 28 games. Nepal began the series seventh with 18 points from 24 matches.

Nepal are playing without opener Kushal Bhurtel, who remains out of the playing eleven, while recalled wicketkeeper-batter Binod Bhandari retained his place after returning to the squad during the UAE and Oman series.