Dipendra Singh Airee led a sharp Nepal fightback as the United States of America were bowled out for 195 in 43.3 overs in the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup League 2 match in Kirtipur.
USA looked set for a stronger total after Smit Patel and Shehan Jayasuriya rebuilt the innings with a century stand. But Nepal hit back through spin, pressure and two run-outs to trigger a collapse of seven wickets for just 37 runs.
Smit top-scored with 83 off 89 balls, hitting eight fours and three sixes. Jayasuriya made 50 off 52 balls, while Milind Kumar added 28. The pair had taken USA to 122/1 before Jayasuriya fell to Dipendra.
Sompal Kami gave Nepal the early breakthrough by removing Shayan Jahangir for 6. He later dismissed Smit, a key wicket that left USA 158/4 in the 31st over.
Dipendra then took control of the middle and lower order. He dismissed Jayasuriya, Milind, Nosthush Kenjige and Harmeet Singh to finish with 4/24 from 7.3 overs.
Sompal returned 2/35 from seven overs. Sandeep Lamichhane and Gulshan Jha took one wicket each, while Lalit Rajbanshi kept things tight with 0/35 from nine overs.
Nepal now need 196 to win.
