Nepal endured another narrow defeat in the ICC Men's Cricket World Cup League 2, going down to the United States of America (USA) by four wickets in a thrilling contest at the ICC Academy Ground, Dubai.
Despite Dipendra Singh Airee's fluent 75 off 67 balls and a late counterattack from Karan KC (49 off 31), Nepal's total of 271 in 49.5 overs fell just short as USA chased down the target in 49 overs, led by Milind Kumar's composed 70 and Saiteja Mukkamalla’s 75.
Nepal made a promising start with Kushal Bhurtel (47) and Bhim Sharki (43) setting the tone, but a middle-order collapse left the innings wobbling at 106/4.
Captain Rohit Paudel (36) steadied briefly before Airee took charge, attacking spin and pace alike. Airee struck two fours and three sixes in his 75-run effort, while Karan KC’s 49 off 31 balls — including four fours and three sixes.
Late fireworks from Karan KC, who smashed 49 runs off 31 balls (4 fours, 3 sixes), pushed Nepal to a competitive 271 before they were bowled out with one ball remaining.
Harmeet Singh was outstanding with the ball, finishing with 3/33 in 10 overs, while Nosthush Kenjige (2/45) provided valuable support.
Chasing 272, USA had steady contributions throughout the order. Shayan Jahangir (36) and Smit Patel (16) built the platform before Mukkamalla (75 off 101) and Milind Kumar (70 off 66) anchored the innings.
Their 123-run fourth-wicket stand turned the game decisively in USA's favour.
Turning Points
Airee & Karan’s late-innings surge
– From 195/5, Nepal added 70 runs in the final 10 overs, giving the bowlers a defendable total.Mukkamalla–Milind’s century stand
– Their 123-run partnership stabilized USA’s innings and set up the chase perfectly.Catches win matches
- Gulshan Jha and Dipendra Singh Airee dropped two important catches both off Sandeep Lamichhane.Harmeet's power finish
– Two sixes in the 49th over sealed the win in emphatic fashion.
With 30 runs needed from 18 balls, the match hung in balance until the final over. Sandeep Lamichhane had just dismissed Shubham Ranjane (19 off 12), giving Nepal a late glimmer of hope.
However, Harmeet Singh finished the game in style — smashing two massive sixes off Nandan Yadav in the 49th over to seal the win for USA with six balls remaining. His quickfire 13 off 5 balls (2 sixes)* provided the perfect finishing touch to a composed chase led by Milind Kumar and Saiteja Mukkamalla.
Sandeep Lamichhane bowled brilliantly for Nepal, finishing with 3/53, including key wickets of Jahangir, Ranjane, and Mukkamalla.
