Scotland beat the United States by two runs on DLS in a rain-hit ICC Men's Cricket World Cup League 2 match in Kirtipur, surviving a final-over charge to move to the top of the standings. Richie Berrington took a diving catch on the last over to end Saiteja Mukkamalla's superb 104, and the USA fell just short of a revised target of 249 in 32 overs.
The chase went to the final ball with the USA needing 16 runs from the last over, only for Mohammad Mohsin to finish with a boundary after Scotland held their nerve. Berrington said it was “a pretty important moment, so I'm luck it stuck in my hands,” and added that Mukkamalla had played “a fantastic knock” before Scotland “went down to the wire.”
Scotland's total of 321 for 6 had already put the pressure on the USA before the rain interrupted the contest and forced the DLS adjustment. Brandon McMullen was named Player of the Match after making 55 and taking two wickets, a performance that helped Scotland recover after the break and close out a game they had to win the hard way.
The result came in the 2023-27 cycle of the ICC Men's Cricket World Cup League 2, where the top four teams secure a place at the Qualifier event for the 50-over World Cup. By overtaking the USA at the top, Scotland strengthened its position in the race to reach that stage directly, with Berrington saying the side was pleased to have “managed to close it out” and was “finding a way to get over the line.”
For the USA, Mukkamalla's century and the late surge left a result that slipped away by the smallest of margins. For Scotland, the win was more than two points. It was the kind of finish that can shape a campaign, especially when the difference between first and fourth carries real weight.
