Nepal keeps Super Six hopes alive by defeating US by six wickets

KATHMANDU: Nepal kept its Super Six hopes alive with a six-wicket victory over the USA in its second match of the ICC World Cup 2023 Qualifier in Harare on Tuesday, thanks to a crucial 74-run partnership between Bhim Sharki and Dipendra Singh Airee.

Batting first, the USA was all out for 207 runs in 49 overs. Nepal chased down the target, scoring 211 runs while losing four wickets in the 43rd over.

The USA, which had lost four wickets by the 10th over with just 18 runs on board, made an amazing comeback in the game. Except for opener Sushant Modani, who scored 42 runs off 71 balls, the US top order failed miserably. But the middle-order batsman Gajananda Singh and Shayan Jahangir resurrected the US innings. Jahangir remained not out at 100 runs from 79 balls while Singh added 26 runs from 41 balls. Other US batsmen failed to make significant contributions with the bat.

Karan KC was exceptional with the ball, taking four wickets for 33 runs in his nine overs which included three maidens. Gulshan Jha claimed three wickets, Dipendra Singh Airee took two, and Lalit Rajbanshi contributed with one wicket. Spinner Sandeep Lamichhane remained wicketless for the second consecutive match, conceding 58 runs in his 10 overs.

In the chase, Nepal lost opener Aasif Sheikh early with 25 runs on the board in the fifth over. Bhim Sharki anchored Nepal’s innings with a knock of 77 runs off 114 balls. Dipendra Singh Airee also remained unbeaten with 39 runs from 32 balls. Opener Kushal Bhurtel contributed 39 runs, while Kushal Malla and Captain Rohit Poudel made 16 and 13 runs, respectively.

Saurabh Netravalkar, Nosthush Kanjige, Nisarg Patel, and Steven Taylor took one wicket each for the USA.

Nepal will play its next match against the West Indies on Thursday.