The TU International Cricket Ground witnessed a powerful batting display from Scotland on Thursday.

Scotland, who were invited to bat first by the USA, did not smash their highest ODI total. However, the score they posted on the board was the highest total in one-day internationals at the home of Nepali cricket.

Further, the Scots had three fewer overs to bat.

The match had begun a bit late as the outfield was still wet by the scheduled time for the first delivery. Following the delay, the overs were reduced to 47 each for the two innings.

There were three half-centurions for Scotland as they posted 321/6 in 47 overs. Finlay McCreath top-scored with 77 off 102 and was followed by Matthew Cross (58 off 32) and Brandon McMullen (55 off 40).

Experienced USA bowlers Saurabh Netravalkar and Jasdeep Singh picked two wickets each, while Milind Kumar and Shubham Ranjane took one each.

The record for the previous highest ODI total at TU Ground belonged to two teams—Nepal and the UAE. Nepal had posted 310/8 against Oman on April 21, 2023, and the UAE had hammered the hosts for 310/6 on March 16, 2023.

While Scotland’s 321/6 was the highest at TU Ground, the European side’s highest individual ODI total was 380/9 against the Netherlands in Utrecht on May 15 last year. Thursday’s total was Scotland’s 10th-highest ODI total.

Meanwhile, in turn, the USA did not have a good start while chasing the big total. It was an uphill battle for the USA as they had managed 300+ ODI scores in only six instances so far.

Opener Smit Patel was the lone man standing for the Americans as wickets—Shayan Jahangir (4 off 7) and skipper Monank Patel (12 off 15)—kept falling from the other end.

When Patel (72 off 56) departed as the third wicket, the USA were at 115 runs in 18.1 overs.

It was in-at-four Saiteja Mukkamalla who stayed as the only danger for Scotland. The Scottish bowlers were having a hard time against Mukkamalla, who had managed his half-century when rain stopped play in the chase.

It was in 26.4 overs that Mukkamalla hit Oliver Davidson inside out over the cover region. With the ball in the air near the boundary rope, Brad Currie made a beautiful attempt. He missed the catch, which was difficult as he was running towards the ball from the long-off region, but prevented a boundary.

However, the left-arm bowler, Curie, injured his bowling arm and required medical attention. But as the umpires utilised the time for a drinks break, rain intervened again.

When the match resumed after an hour, the target for the USA was revised to 249 runs in 32 overs.

And with Mukkamalla finding his rhythm even after the rain delay, Scotland were struggling despite getting wickets on the other end. Mukkamalla went on to smash eight sixes and five fours as he completed his fourth ODI ton in 72 balls. He is now the USA batter with the most ODI hundreds.

However, after facing three more deliveries, Mukkamalla (104 off 75) was caught out in 31.1 overs. After his departure, the USA required 15 off five deliveries.

Jasdeep Singh raised hopes when he smashed the first ball he faced for a four. However, he too got caught out in the next ball.

And with 11 required off the last three deliveries, the Americans could only reach 246/8 in the allocated overs. McMullen defended the runs in the final over.

McMullen was adjudged the player of the match for his performance with both bat and ball.

With the win, Scotland are now at the top of the points table by ousting the USA. The Scots now have 38 points from 30 matches.

The USA, having played five matches fewer than Scotland, still have the chance to reclaim their top position.

Currie, McMullen and Safyaan Sharif bagged two wickets each for Scotland while Mark Watt and Davidson claimed one each.