Scotland vs Nepal 2nd Tri-Game May 2026 Edinburgh Recap: Mark Watt Six-For

The Grange in Edinburgh, with its tree-lined boundary and northern-European spring chill, watched Scotland's premier slow left-armer write a personal chapter. Mark Watt's 6 for 41 in 10 overs is his career-best in the 50-over format, breaking his previous mark from a tour of the UAE in 2022. Scotland's second tri-series game against Nepal was, by the end of the 32nd over, a procession towards their first victory of the campaign. Rohit Paudel's 71, however, ensured the contest never quite died.

How Watt's six-for unfolded

Watt's opening spell of six overs was tight rather than spectacular: 1 for 19, the wicket of Bhim Sharki driving uppishly to mid-off. The damage came in his second spell. Brought back in the 26th over with Nepal at 134 for 3, he immediately squared Aasif Sheikh, who left a ball that drifted in late and crashed into off. Kushal Bhurtel was held at slip three overs later. The two-wicket over of Karan KC and Sompal Kami ended the innings.

Rohit Paudel's anchor

Paudel's 71 off 92 was textbook associate captaincy. He played out Watt's first spell defensively, took 31 runs off Brad Currie's middle-overs spell with controlled aggression, and brought up his fifty from 71 balls. His dismissal, caught and bowled by Watt off a return catch, was the turning point. From 188 for 6 in the 32nd, Nepal added only 49 in the last 18 overs to finish at 237.

Scotland's chase under Cross

The chase, led by George Munsey's 78 off 79 and a Brandon McMullen 41, was completed in the 41st over with five wickets to spare. The notable subplot was Scotland captain Matthew Cross batting at four for the first time in 18 months, a position shuffle aimed at giving the middle order more steadying experience. Nepal's Lalit Rajbanshi went for 0 for 52 in 8 overs as a left-arm wrist spinner in a game that did not suit his style.

The tri-series stakes

Scotland, Nepal and a third associate side, the Netherlands, are completing a triangular tournament that doubles as a CWC League 2 fixture. Scotland's win here moves them into second on the league table. Nepal sit on points but with a positive net run rate that keeps the playoff scenario complicated. The Netherlands play Scotland next at the Grange in three days.

The Watt watch and the Scotland funding context

Mark Watt's six-for arrives at a politically charged time for Scottish cricket. Cricket Scotland is in the middle of a funding-cut protest from its supporter clubs, which has separately produced a fans' letter to the ICC headquarters. Watt's performance pushes the question of whether Cricket Scotland's resourcing matches the on-field returns. Watt himself plays for the Hundred and the T20 Blast, but the senior squad continues to be coached on a tight budget.

What it means

For Scotland, a victory at home in a CWC League 2 fixture is the type of campaign-defining result they need. The win improves their chances of a top-three CWC League 2 finish and a direct path to the qualifier window for the next ODI World Cup cycle. For Nepal, the loss is the second of the tour and puts captain Paudel under pressure to deliver in the final fixture against the Netherlands at the Grange next week.

What to watch

Three threads. First, Watt's match-up with Vikramjit Singh of the Netherlands, who has a long history of dominating left-arm spin in white-ball formats. Second, whether Scotland captain Cross sticks at four or returns to opening alongside Munsey. Third, Nepal's bowling depth beyond Sompal and Karan KC, with Sandeep Lamichhane's continued absence and Lalit Rajbanshi's quiet output. The tri-series concludes at the Grange.

Related reading

• Scotland Tri-Series May 2026 vs Nepal: Mark Watt Spell Recap
• Scotland Tri-Series May 2026 vs Netherlands: McMullen 101 Recap
• ICC Men's CWC League 2 May 2026 — Nepal vs Scotland Tribhuvan Recap, Sandeep Lamichhane and Paudel Twin Spells
• Rohit Paudel Tri-Series Final vs UAE 2026: Leadership Knock
• Mark Watt Left-Arm Spin Data 2026 Scotland Tactical Decoded