KATHMANDU: The Nepali national cricket team concluded their home series on a high note with a commanding 122-run victory over the United States in the final match of the ICC World Cup League-2 triangular series.
In Friday’s match, Nepal posted a total of 317 for 8 in 50 overs before bowling out the USA for 195 runs in 41.2 overs.
Earlier in the series, Nepal had suffered a narrow 2-run defeat to Scotland via the DLS method in the opening match but bounced back strongly to defeat Scotland by 6 wickets in the second game and the USA by 122 runs in the final fixture. The USA had earlier beaten Nepal by 9 wickets in their first encounter.
With this performance, Nepal collected 6 points from the series and currently sits fifth in the standings with 24 points from 28 matches, having won 11, lost 15, and shared points in 2 games. Nepal now has 8 remaining matches, all of which will be played abroad.
Chasing a challenging target of 318, the USA were bowled out for 195. Sandeep Lamichhane led the bowling attack with 3 wickets, while Lalit Rajbanshi, Dipendra Singh Airee, and Gulshan Jha took two wickets each. Sompal Kami also contributed with a wicket.
Earlier, after the USA won the toss and opted to field at the Tribhuvan University Cricket Ground in Kirtipur, Nepal set a record total of 317 for 8 — their highest ODI score at the venue, surpassing the previous best of 310 against Oman in 2023.
Ishan Pandey top-scored with 84 runs, while captain Rohit Paudel contributed 46. The pair shared a crucial 110-run partnership for the third wicket.
Openers Kushal Bhurtel and Aasif Sheikh added 69 runs for the first wicket, scoring 29 and 43 respectively. Gulshan Jha made 15, while Dipendra Singh Airee added a quick 59 before being run out, and Sompal Kami scored 5.
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