Nepal suffer 106-run defeat to USA in ICC World Cup League 2

By A Staff Reporter

Kathmandu, Oct. 27: After booking their spot in the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup, Nepal’s senior men’s cricket team returned to 50-over action in the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup League 2 (WCL-2) following a four-month break.

However, the momentum from their T20 success didn’t carry over.  Nepal suffered a heavy 106-run defeat against the United States in the tri-series fixture held in the United Arab Emirates.

Four months earlier, under new head coach Stuart Law, Nepal had impressed in Scotland, winning three matches—two against the Netherlands and one against the hosts.

Expectations were high after their strong showing in the T20 World Cup Qualifiers. 

Nepal also needed a consistent performances in WCL-2 to break into the top four and secure automatic qualification for the ODI World Cup Global Qualifier. 

They currently sit seventh on the table with 12 points from 16 matches.

The shift from the 20-over format to the longer 50-over game, however, proved costly. 

Nepal’s batters struggled to adapt and collapsed under pressure from the USA’s disciplined bowling attack at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium.

Chasing 263, Nepal were bundled out for just 156 in 39.1 overs. 

The comprehensive win took the USA to the top of the table with 30 points from 21 matches (15 wins, 6 losses), edging past Scotland on net run rate. 

Scotland are second with 13 wins from 24 matches, while the Netherlands trail by two points in third.

Harmeet Singh was the star of the show, picking up 6 wickets for 27 runs in 8.1 overs, including a maiden.

Nepal’s innings got off to a nightmare start. 

Opener Kushal Bhurtel was dismissed for a duck, nicking behind off Rushil Ugarkar on the second ball. Bhim Sharki chipped in with 29, while Asif Sheikh looked solid before falling for 37 to Harmeet.

Skipper Rohit Paudel managed just 2 runs before being caught off Shubham Ranjane. Aarif Sheikh (20) and Gulsan Jha (3) followed soon after, leaving Nepal tottering at 138 for 7.

The tail offered little resistance. Karan KC was trapped lbw for 2, and Sandeep Lamichhane was out for a golden duck. 

Dipendra Singh Airee top-scored with 40, but it wasn’t enough to mount a challenge.

Shubham Ranjane supported Harmeet with 2 wickets.

Earlier, the USA posted a competitive 262 for 6 in their 50 overs. They started cautiously, scoring 32 runs in the first powerplay. 

Sompal Kami struck early, removing opener Andries Gous for 11, caught by Bhim Sharki.

Aarif Sheikh then trapped captain Monank Patel lbw for 10, reducing the USA to 45 for 2.

A steady 95-run stand between opener Smit Patel and Saiteja Mukkamalla rebuilt the innings. Patel was run out for a well-made 75 off 100 balls, while Mukkamalla contributed 42 before being bowled by Lamichhane.

Milind Kumar played a blinder at the death, smashing an unbeaten 70 off 50 balls with 6 boundaries and 2 sixes. Harmeet chipped in with a quickfire 16 not out, and Shubham added 19 from the tail.

Nepal’s bowlers leaked runs in the final overs, conceding 32 in the last two. Lamichhane finished with 2 wickets, while Sompal Kami, Dipendra Singh Airee, and Aarif Sheikh took one each.

This was Nepal’s 10th defeat in League 2. They’ve won only five matches so far.

Nepal will next face hosts UAE on Thursday. UAE sit bottom of the table with just 6 points from 16 matches.