ICC Cricket World Cup: Nepal beat USA by six runs

Nepal have beaten USA by six wickets in their second match of the ongoing ICC Cricket World Cup 2023 Qualifiers in Zimbabwe.

In today’s match, Nepal chased down the target of 208 runs for the loss of 4 wickets in the 43rd over, largely thanks to Bhim Sarki’s patient 77 runs in 114 balls.

Chasing a modest target after restricting the opposition to 207 runs in 50 overs, Nepal faltered early after losing 3 wickets in the 26th over with just 112 runs on the board. However, an unbroken fifth-wicket partnership between Bhim Sarki and Dipendra Singh Aireen (39), which led to 50 runs off 49 balls, ensured victory for Nepal.

Kushal Bhurtel also scored 39 runs while Aasif Sheikh, captain Rohit Paudel and Kushal Malla scored 12, 16 and 13 runs respectively.

Earlier, Nepal elected to field first after winning the toss and restricted USA to 207 runs in the allotted 50 overs. Karan KC was the pick of the bowlers taking 4 wickets for 33 runs in 9 overs with 3 maidens. It also earned him the player of the match award. Gulshan Jha took 3 wickets, Dipendra Singh Airee took 2 and Lalit Rajbansi 1 wicket.

After a poor start, USA managed to get a respectable score thanks to Shayan Jahangir’s brisk century. He scored 100 runs in just 79 balls with 3 sixes and 10 fours. Jahangir was one of only four batsmen to score in double figures for the USA.

This is Nepal’s first win in a qualifier after losing the opening match to hosts Zimbabwe by 8 runs. Nepal will now face West Indies on June 22.

The Netherlands is the fifth team in Group A, including Nepal. Hosts Zimbabwe lead the points table with 4 points, West Indies are second with 2 points and Nepal is also in third position with 2 points.

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