Kushal Bhurtel’s unbeaten century powered Nepal to a commanding nine-wicket win over the United States of America in the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup League 2 match at TU International Cricket Ground, Kirtipur, on Saturday.
Chasing 196, Nepal reached 199/1 in 36.4 overs. Kushal stayed unbeaten on 120 off 118 balls, hitting 13 fours and four sixes in a dominant innings.
It was Kushal’s second ODI century. His first had also come in Kirtipur, when he scored 115 against Namibia in February 2023.
Kushal and Aasif Sheikh set up the chase with a 145-run opening stand. It was Nepal's fourth-highest partnership in ODIs, and the fourth century opening stand between the pair in the format.
Aasif made 58 off 72 balls with eight fours before falling in the 27th over. ODI debutant Ishan Pandey then joined Kushal and finished unbeaten on 20 off 30 balls, sealing the win with a boundary.
Earlier, USA were bowled out for 195 in 43.3 overs after choosing to bat first. They had looked comfortable at 122/1 and later 158/3, but Nepal struck back sharply through spin, fielding pressure and two run-outs.
Smit Patel top-scored for USA with 83 off 89 balls, hitting eight fours and three sixes. Shehan Jayasuriya made 50 off 52 balls, while Milind Kumar added 28.
Dipendra Singh Airee led Nepal’s bowling effort with 4/24 from 7.3 overs. During the spell, he also completed 50 wickets in ODIs.
Sompal Kami took 2/35, including the wickets of Smit and Shayan Jahangir. Sandeep Lamichhane and Gulshan Jha picked up one wicket each.
The win was Nepal’s first over USA in the 2024-27 League 2 cycle. It was also Nepal’s first ODI win against USA since the 2023 World Cup Qualifier in Zimbabwe.
Nepal now have 20 points from 26 matches and remain seventh in the League 2 table. USA, who arrived in Nepal on top of the table, have now suffered back-to-back defeats and sit on 36 points from 26 matches.
