The ICC Cricket World Cup League 2 tri-series got underway at the Tribhuvan University International Cricket Ground in Kirtipur on Tuesday, with the United States and Scotland eyeing the top spot while Nepal confront a campaign that could define their ODI future.

Nepal are scheduled to play two One Day Internationals each against the United States and Scotland, with the two visiting teams also facing each other twice during the series.

The US and Scotland occupy the top two positions in the League 2 standings. The US lead the table with 36 points from 24 matches, while Scotland are second with 34 points from 28 games. Nepal, meanwhile, are seventh among the eight teams with 18 points from 24 matches.

The stakes are high for Nepal. The top four teams in League 2 progress directly to the World Cup Qualifiers, while teams lower down the standings risk losing ODI status.

This is Nepal’s third and final home series of the current League 2 cycle. They had previously hosted the Netherlands and Namibia in 2024 before taking on the UAE and Oman last week. Nepal won four of their eight matches across those two home assignments. During the previous 2019–2023 League 2 cycle, Nepal had turned home conditions into a major advantage, winning 10 of their 12 matches in Kathmandu.

For Scotland, the series presents an opportunity to move above the United States at the top of the table. To do that, they will need wins against both Nepal and, crucially, the US.

Scotland’s previous visit to Kathmandu in 2023 produced mixed outcomes. Nepal beat them in both League 2 fixtures, but Scotland still walked away with the 2019–2023 League 2 title after defeating Namibia in the same series. They finished that cycle with 50 points from 36 matches, aided in part by the Netherlands’ absence because of Super League commitments.

Their record in Nepal, however, remains a concern. Scotland lost both warm-up matches against Nepal A ahead of the current series, continuing a trend of underwhelming performances in subcontinental conditions.

In response, Cricket Scotland have brought in former Pakistan captain Azhar Ali as a consultant for the tour. Ali, who played 97 Tests and 53 ODIs for Pakistan and scored more than 7,000 Test runs, is currently with the squad in Kathmandu.

Cricket Scotland said Ali’s experience in Asian conditions could prove valuable for the players. In a statement released by the board, Ali said he was excited to work with a talented Scotland side. He is no stranger to Nepali cricket either, having played against Nepal during the 2002 Under-19 World Cup, when he featured primarily as a bowler.

Nepal and Scotland have already shared close contests during the current League 2 campaign. Nepal beat Scotland once each in Dallas and Dundee, but Scotland edged one thriller in Dundee by two runs after Nepal nearly chased down 324. Nepal were bowled out for 321 from the final delivery of their innings.

Scotland captain Richie Berrington scored 102 in that match, while Michael Leask produced a counterattacking, unbeaten 96 from 62 deliveries.

Several Scotland players also return to familiar surroundings after featuring in the Nepal Premier League. George Munsey, Brandon McMullen and Mark Watt all played in the tournament.

Watt, representing Karnali Yaks, produced one of the standout innings of the competition when he smashed an unbeaten 114 from just 44 balls against Lumbini Lions. He reached his century in only 41 deliveries, the fastest hundred in NPL history.

The most recent meeting between Nepal and Scotland came during the T20 World Cup in Mumbai in February, where Nepal secured a seven-wicket victory after posting 171, powered by a half-century from vice-captain Dipendra Singh Airee.

Dipendra arrives in the series in outstanding form. During the recent home series against the UAE and Oman, he scored 268 runs at an average close to 90, including a century and two half-centuries.

Nepal’s batting, however, has lacked consistency around him. Openers Kushal Bhurtel and Aasif Sheikh, long regarded as the foundation of Nepal’s batting line-up, both lost their places after two matches against the UAE and Oman.

Bhurtel remains out of the playing eleven, while Aasif responded to being dropped for one game by scoring 94 against Oman after his return.

Wicketkeeper-batter Binod Bhandari, recalled after a lengthy absence, marked his comeback with a half-century against the UAE before falling for a first-ball duck in the following game.

Youngster Arjun Kumal also caught attention with a composed innings against Oman, underlining his potential as a long-term prospect for Nepali cricket.

Nepal have further reshaped their squad by bringing in Ishan Pandey in place of all-rounder Basir Ahmad following the UAE and Oman series.

Still awaiting his ODI debut, Ishan could help solve Nepal’s long-standing shortage of left-handed batters. At present, Gulsan Jha is the only left-hander in Nepal’s top order, and he has impressed with both bat and ball in recent matches.

Captain Rohit Paudel will also need runs if Nepal are to revive their campaign. Since his 109 against the UAE in October, he has gone six innings without a half-century.

Nepal’s bowling attack, too, has struggled to exert sustained pressure. Even in home conditions traditionally favourable to spin, the bowlers, particularly the spinners, have lacked the sharpness that once made Kathmandu a difficult venue for visiting teams.