Dubai: Nepal faced a 106-run defeat to the United States in a triangular One-Day International (ODI) series match under the ICC Cricket World Cup League-2, held at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium in the United Arab Emirates on Sunday.
According to National News Agency Nepal, after winning the toss, the US elected to bat first and posted a formidable total of 262 runs for six wickets in 50 overs. Smit Patel led the scoring for the US with 75 runs off 100 balls, including nine fours, while Milind Kumar remained not out with 70 runs off 50 balls, hitting six fours and two sixes. Saiteja Mukkamalla and Shubham Ranjane contributed 42 and 19 runs, respectively.
Nepal’s bowling efforts saw Sandeep Lamichhane taking two wickets, while Sompal Kami, Aarif Sheikh, and Dipendra Singh Airee each claimed one wicket. However, the target proved too challenging for Nepal, which was bowled out for 156 runs in 39.1 overs. Dipendra Singh Airee top-scored with 40 runs, followed by Aasif Sheikh with 37, Bhim Sarki with 29, Aarif Sheikh with 20, and Sompal Kami with 11.
The United States’ bowling attack was spearheaded by Harmeet Singh, who took six wickets. Shubham Ranjane and Rushil Ugarkar also contributed, taking two and one wicket, respectively. This victory propelled the US to the top of the points table with 30 points from 21 matches, while Nepal remained in seventh place with 12 points from 17 matches.