Kathmandu, May 16: In an exciting match at the ICC World Cup Cricket League-2, Nepal triumphed over the USA by nine wickets. Chasing a target of 195 runs set by the USA, Nepal achieved victory comfortably at the Tribhuvan University Cricket Stadium in Kirtipur.
The opening pair of Kushal Bhurtel and Ashif Sheikh made a remarkable contribution, putting together 154 runs for the team. Bhurtel’s outstanding century, where he scored 120 runs off 118 balls with 13 fours and four sixes, played a crucial role in reaching the target of 196 runs. Ashif also made a solid contribution, scoring 58 runs off 72 balls, including eight fours.
Earlier in the match, the USA batted first and managed to score 195 runs in 43.3 overs. Nepal lost just one wicket while chasing down the target in 36.4 overs. Dipendra Singh Airee was the standout bowler for Nepal, taking four wickets, while Sompal Kami added two more to the tally.
Sandeep Lamichhane and Gulsan Jha each took one wicket. For the USA, opener Smit Patel was the top scorer with 84 runs, hitting eight fours and three sixes off 89 balls, while Shehan Jayasuriya contributed 52 runs from 52 balls.
With this victory, Nepal, currently in seventh place, has accumulated 20 points. Canada sits just ahead in sixth place with 21 points, and Namibia is in fifth with 22 points. At the bottom of the table is the UAE with 14 points, while Scotland leads with an impressive 38 points.
