SCOTLAND THRASH NEPAL TO PROGRESS TO SUPER SIX
Scotland Women continued their journey towards World Cup Qualification as they thrashed Nepal by 72 runs to secure progression to the Super Six stage.
It didn't always look like being such a comfortable morning for Scotland, who slipped to 17-3 and then 79-6 after being inserted by the hosts - but a superb 45 from Priyanaz Chatterji lifted the Scots to 140.
Manisha Upadhayay (4-17) caused Scotland big problems, dismissing Darcey Carter, Katherine Fraser and Kathryn Byrce inside the first three overs, before also returning to remove Ailsa Lister.
That brought Chatterji to the crease at the halfway stage of the Scotland innings, with her side 69-5 - and after losing Megan McColl (17), combined with Rachel Slater (11) to add 43 for the seventh wicket.
Chatterji and Slater shared a record eighth-wicket partnership of 115 in women's one-day international cricket last year, when Chatterji struck a career-best 61 - and clearly enjoy batting together as they combined once more to add crucial runs.
Their partnership here in Kirtipur swung the match back towards Scotland, Chatterji finishing unbeaten with a 28-ball 45, a T20i best.
Nepal had chased down 130 to defeat Zimbabwe in their last outing, but were never really in the run chase against Scotland - their opening partnership of 15 was the most substantial of the whole innings, as wickets tumbled regularly.
Abataha Maqsood (3-14), Katherine Fraser (2-11) and Kathryn Bryce (2-14) led the way with the ball for Scotland, as Nepal were bowled out for 68 inside 14 overs - only three batters reaching double figures.
Player of the Match Priyanaz Chatterji said: "I'd be lying if I said there weren't quite a lot of nerves, but I just tried to be really clear. I've worked quite a bit over the last year on my game plan, and knowing what my options are, and I just tried to stick to that and go through the gears with a level of risk that felt appropriate for the situation.
"We really back our bowling and fielding, we knew it was a good wicket and a quick outfield, but that if we bowled well then we could defend 140."
Scotland will now face Bangladesh, Ireland and the USA in the next stage of the competition, with the schedule to be confirmed.