Nepal’s win over USA in Dallas sets tone for upcoming series

Kathmandu, Oct. 19: The last time Nepal played at the Grand Prairie Stadium in Dallas, USA, was over four months ago when they lost to the Dutch side in the duo’s first group-stage match of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup on June 4. Despite losing, Nepal went on to give everlasting memories to South Africa and Bangladesh in Kingstown, but the promising team had been on a bad run ever since. 

However, upon their return to Texas on Friday, Nepal showcased a brilliant display of cricket and defeated the host, the United States of America (USA), by 17 runs and led by 1-0 in the 3-match T20I series between the two Associates.

Nepal had reached the USA after a saddening result in two tri-series – a CWC League 2 and a friendly T2oI – with Canada and Oman. But the team, after defeating the USA, made a comeback from their recent setback and set a foundation for a proper tone for their upcoming cricketing journey; which includes a CWC League 2 tri-series with the USA and Scotland from October 27. Nepal does need to get as many points as it can to stay in the fight for a seat in the ICC Men’s World Cup in 2027.

A good start

The win allowed a good start for Nepal in the USA thanks to a good start by the openers as the visitors were asked to bat first by the motivated host.

Anil Kumar Sah and Aasif Sheikh built up a 48-run partnership for the first wicket in 33 balls until Sah was given out for an lbw by the umpire. Sah, with two fours and a six, departed for 27 off 18. 

Kushal Bhurtel, finding a spot in the top three after a dropdown in the past few matches, could not deliver enough with Aasif as they both departed by the beginning of the 11th over. Aasif and Bhurtel added 27 off 27 and 10 off 13 respectively.

It was again the skipper, Rohit Kumar Paudel, who rescued the team from a quick fall of wickets. Youngster Gulshan Kumar Jha could not stay enough with the captain as he departed for 11 off 7 in the 13th over leaving Nepal at 93/4. But the world’s 2nd best all-rounder in T2oIs, Dipendra Singh Airee, helped the captain to take the team over the 150-run mark by the 19th over.

Airee added 28 off 17 before being caught out in 18.5 overs while Paudel fell a run short of his half-century as he got run out in the final ball of the first inning. Between Airee and Paudel’s wickets, Nepal lost three more wickets – Karan KC, Aarif Sheikh and Sompal Kami; only Kami opened his account with Nepal posting 164/9 on the board. Airee and Paudel had a partnership of 66 off 38 for the fifth wicket.

All five bowlers used by the USA had a wicket to their name. While Ali Khan and Nosthush Kenjige took one each, Saurabh Netravalkar, Jasdeep Singh and Harmeet Singh bagged two each.

Nepal with the ball

Nepali players were unhappy with some decisions by the umpire, especially some lbw appeals. Nevertheless, the bowlers and fielders kept on fighting with the ball, restricting boundaries and taking wickets.

Karan KC gave the first relief to Nepal as Saiteja Mukkamalla was caught out in 1.5 overs. And in the first ball of the next over, Rijan Dhakal clean-bowled the USA skipper and opener Monank Patel to restrict the host to 8/2.

Aaron Jones was the third victim as he was run out by the fast reflexes of Airee and Aasif. It was in-at-three, USA’s wicket-keeper batsman Andries Gous who terrified Nepal for a bit as he smashed 30 runs in 25 deliveries with 2 fours and 2 sixes; he was caught out by Sah in the spell of Jha.

Milind Kumar, with his 22 off 26, played a steady inning and helped the team to 94/5 when departing in 15.1 overs. It was Airee who sent Kumar back; Airee also got Harmeet Singh for a golden duck with a lbw in the very next delivery. Airee, with three wickets, a decent score and attractive fielding efforts, was awarded the player of the match. 

On the other hand, Shayan Jahangir stood tall for the USA despite the loss. Jahangir ended the match with a massive six and reached 60 off 34 (6 fours and 2 sixes) but the team still fell short of 17 runs with three wickets in hand.

Nepal can maintain the winning tone with consistency as they face the USA in the second match of the series today (Saturday).