Nepal and Scotland meet in the 104th match of the ICC CWC League 2 ODI 2026 on 12 May 2026 at 9:15 AM IST, opening a tri-series in Kirtipur that also includes the United States.
The game brings together two sides at different points on the table. Scotland arrive second with 34 points from 28 matches, while Nepal sit seventh on 18 points from 24 games, a gap that gives this early tri-series fixture immediate weight for both teams.
Nepal’s recent record against Scotland gives the hosts a reason to believe they can make a fast start. They have five ODI wins in the matchup to Scotland’s four, and the home setting at Tribhuvan University International Cricket Ground has been described as one that traditionally assists spin bowling, a factor that could suit Nepal’s attack.
Rohit Paudel is expected to lead Nepal’s batting unit, while Sandeep Lamichhane is viewed as the side’s biggest weapon in home conditions, especially in Kirtipur. Nepal also have the return of all-rounder Ishan Pandey, which adds another option as they look to steady a campaign that has left them near the bottom of the standings.
Scotland, meanwhile, are led by Richie Berrington and will lean on Brandon McMullen, one of their leading performers in the competition. Their squad also welcomes back fast bowler Bradley Currie, giving them more balance as they try to protect a strong position in the league.
The figures behind the two teams underline why this opening match matters. Scotland’s 34 points have come from 28 matches, while Nepal’s 18 points have been collected across 24 games, leaving little room for a slow start in a series that offers both teams a chance to add pressure on the table.
The tension sits in the contrast between the numbers and the setting. Scotland have been more productive across the league, but Kirtipur is not an easy place to walk into and impose a flat game plan, particularly when Nepal can turn to spin and to familiar conditions for support. That makes the first match of the tri-series less a formality than a test of which side can settle first.
For Nepal, the contest is a chance to use home conditions and head-to-head history to reset their campaign. For Scotland, it is an early exam of whether their place near the top of the table reflects a team ready to handle pressure away from home.
