KATHMANDU: Nepal has defeated America by five wickets in the first triangular ODI series held at Amerat Cricket Ground in Oman on Monday.

Chasing the 231-run target held under the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup League 2, Nepal reached the target in 49 overs.

Nepal’s opener Batsman Kushal Bhurtel top-scored with 84 runs followed by Rohit Paudel 62 runs and Binod Bhandari 37 runs.

Earlier, electing to bat first after winning the toss, America had posted 230 runs at the cost of nine wickets in the allotted 50 overs. Monank Patel hit a century for America. Other notable contributors to the US total included Nisarg Patel who scored 21 runs followed by Sushant Modani and Karima Gore who scored 16 runs each.

For Nepal, bowlers Sandeep Lamichhane, Bikram Soba and Sushan Bhari took two wickets each while Kushal Malla took one wicket. Two American batsmen were run out.