SCOTLAND EDGE PAST NEPAL IN THRILLER
Scotland Under 19s picked up their first win at the ICC U19 Women's T20 World Cup 2025 with a nail-biting one-wicket win over Nepal.
A superb effort with the ball, led by Maisie Maceira's 5-15, restricted Nepal to 73, but the chase was far from routine.
Scotland were in deep trouble at 37-6, just halfway to their target, but whilst Pippa Sproul remained, there was confidence that she could get the side across the line,
When Sproul fell for an excellent 35, and Maceira fell just two balls later, Scotland were 58-9, and it was Nepal who were on the verge of a famous victory.
Enter Gabriella Fontenla and Kirsty McColl, who batted fearlessly to add the required 16 in just 10 deliveries, McColl hitting the winning runs as she smeared Puja Mahato over the leg-side.
Reflecting on the win, Scotland skipper Niamh Muir said: "I think I'm feeling every emotion in the book right now, sitting in the tent was nerve-wracking, but I'm glad we got across the line!
"Emotions were high in the tent, I think everyone was probably feeling a different emotion, I was definitely nervous but I always backed our batters to get us home.
"Pippa (Sproul) batted very well, she built an innings, hit the sweepers, and did exactly what we needed."
Scotland's day couldn't have started much better, as Ammy Baldie struck with the first ball of the second over to bowl Sana Praveen.
It was Scotland's spinners Nayma Sheikh and Kirsty McColl who then turned the screws to restrict Nepal, the former striking twice and the latter once, the batting side not passing 50 until the 12th over.
From then on, it was the Maceira show. She bowled Krishma Gurung with her first ball, Baldie removed Seemana KC to leave Nepal 60-6, before Maceira took the final four wickets.
That included three wickets in an over, as Nepal fell from 60-5 to 66-9, before Maceira cleaned up the final wicket with the score on 73, bowling Riya Sharma to finish with 5-15 in her 3.5 overs.
In reply, Scotland had the same difficulties scoring as Nepal, and lost Pippa Kelly in the opening over, as Puja Mahato took a sharp return catch.
Scotland then began to cause themselves their own problems, as hesitant running between the wickets gifted Nepal three wickets, with Emma Walsingham, Niamh Muir and Sheikh all run out.
Sproul was able to find the boundary, and looked the most comfortable player in the middle on either side, but when Charlotte Nevard and Molly Barbour-Smith departed, it looked a stiff task with Scotland 37-6.
Baldie and Sproul showed some resistance, adding 11 for the seventh wicket, but Baldie fell to Seemana, and Sproul holed out to Chaudhary for 35, with Scotland still 18 short of their target.
When Maceira fell just two runs later, victory looked a long way away, but Fontenla and McColl showed immense composure to see the Scots home, and set up a chance of qualification for the Super Six stage.