Nepal batted first against the United States in the 88th ODI of the ICC World Cup League 2 and scored 271 runs in 49.5 overs. Despite early setbacks, strong middle-order partnerships and late-inning power-hitting helped the team reach a respectable first innings total.
Nepal Batting
Nepal had a rocky start to their innings, losing Aasif Sheikh in the second over for just 2 runs. However, Kushal Bhurtel and Bhim Sharki stabilized the situation with a solid partnership, adding 86 runs and bringing the score close to 90. Bhurtel was eventually dismissed for 47 runs off 65 balls, followed shortly by Sharki, who scored 43 runs off 58 balls. The American bowlers then regained control of the game with their disciplined line and length.
Skipper Rohit Paudel played a responsible innings, scoring 36 runs off 46 deliveries while effectively rotating the strike. As wickets began to fall during the middle overs, Dipendra Singh Airee stepped up to take charge. Airee’s impressive counterattack—making 75 runs off 67 balls with 2 fours and 3 sixes—revived Nepal’s innings and ensured the scoreboard kept moving at a strong pace.
In the closing overs, Karan KC delivered the much-needed acceleration by scoring 49 runs off just 31 balls, achieving a strike rate of 158. His powerful hitting helped Nepal surpass the 270-run mark before the team was bowled out with one ball remaining in their innings.
USA Bowling
For the United States, left-arm spinner Harmeet Singh starred, taking 3/33 in 10 overs. His control in the middle overs prevented Nepal from attacking. Nosthush Kenjige (2/45) and Saurabh Netravalkar (2/61) provided valuable support, while Jasdeep Singh and Shubham Ranjane took a wicket each.
Nepal Batting Scorecard
| Batsman | Dismissal | Runs | Balls | 4s | 6s |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kushal Bhurtel | c Netravalkar b Harmeet Singh | 47 | 65 | 2 | 2 |
| Aasif Sheikh (wk) | b Kenjige | 2 | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| Bhim Sharki | b Harmeet Singh | 43 | 58 | 4 | 0 |
| Rohit Paudel (c) | c Shayan Jahangir b Harmeet Singh | 36 | 46 | 2 | 0 |
| Aarif Sheikh | c Kenjige b Netravalkar | 2 | 8 | 0 | 0 |
| Dipendra Singh Airee | c Krishnamurthi b Kenjige | 75 | 67 | 2 | 3 |
| Gulsan Jha | c Ranjane b Jasdeep Singh | 5 | 11 | 0 | 0 |
| Karan KC | c Jasdeep Singh b Ranjane | 49 | 31 | 2 | 3 |
| Nandan Yadav | c Kenjige b Netravalkar | 1 | 6 | 0 | 0 |
| Sandeep Lamichhane | not out | 4 | 5 | 0 | 0 |
| Lalit Rajbanshi | run out (†SK Patel/Jasdeep Singh) | 1 | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| Extras | (nb 2, w 4) | 6 | |||
| Total | 271 all out (49.5 overs) |
