Kathmandu, May 16: Nepal registered a dominant nine-wicket victory over the United States in the ICC Cricket World Cup League-2, riding on a brilliant century from opener Kushal Bhurtel.
Chasing a target of 196 runs, Nepal comfortably reached 197/1 in 36.4 overs at the TU Cricket Ground.
Kushal remained unbeaten on 120 runs off 117 balls, smashing 13 fours and four sixes. He shared an outstanding 145-run opening partnership with Aasif Sheikh. Kushal was later declared as Player of the Match.
Aasif scored 59 runs off 72 balls before being dismissed, while Ishan Pandey remained unbeaten on 16 runs from 29 deliveries. For the United States, Mohammad Mohsin claimed the lone wicket.
Earlier, after winning the toss and electing to bat at Tribhuvan University International Cricket Ground, the United States were bowled out for 195 runs in 43.3 overs.
US opener Smit Patel top-scored with 84 runs off 89 balls, hitting eight fours and three sixes. He added a century partnership for the second wicket with Shehan Jayasuriya, who made 50 runs off 52 balls.
Nepal vice-captain Dipendra Singh Airee broke the partnership and led Nepal’s bowling attack with four wickets. Sompal Kami took two wickets, while Sandeep Lamichhane and Gulshan Jha picked up one wicket each.
After losing only one wicket for 122 runs, the US batting lineup collapsed under pressure and failed to build another major partnership.
Nepal will next face Scotland on Monday in their third match of the tournament. Earlier, Nepal lost to Scotland. #Nepal
