Kushal Bhurtel’s Unbeaten Century Powers Nepal to Dominant Nine-Wicket Win Over USA
Kathmandu: Opener Kushal Bhurtel smashed a magnificent unbeaten century as Nepal secured a commanding nine-wicket victory over the United States in the ICC Cricket World Cup League 2 match at the TU International Cricket Ground in Kirtipur on Saturday. Chasing a modest target of 196 runs, Nepal put on a clinical performance to reach 199 for 1 in just 36.4 overs, wrapping up the chase with 80 balls to spare.
Nepal’s run chase was completely anchored by Bhurtel, who scored a career-best 120 not out off 118 balls, punishing the American bowling attack with 13 boundaries and 4 massive sixes. He shared a massive 145-run opening partnership with Aasif Sheikh, who contributed a solid 58 runs off 72 deliveries with eight fours before being caught off Mohammad Mohsin, the lone wicket-taker for the USA. Following Sheikh's departure, debutant Ishan Pandey joined Bhurtel and showed great composure, finishing unbeaten on 20 runs off 30 balls and striking the winning boundary.
Earlier, after losing the toss and being invited to bat first, the USA lineup was bundled out for 195 runs in 43.3 overs. The visitors looked well-positioned for a big total at one stage, riding on a 100-run second-wicket partnership between Smit Patel, who scored a top-flight 83 off 89 balls, and Shehan Jayasuriya, who made 50 off 52 balls. However, Nepal’s star all-rounder Dipendra Singh Airee triggered a massive batting collapse by tearing through the middle and lower order, claiming a lethal 4 wickets for just 24 runs in his 7.3 overs, a spell during which he also reached his 50th ODI wicket milestone. Fast bowler Sompal Kami dismissed both set batsmen to finish with 2 for 35, while Sandeep Lamichhane and Gulshan Jha grabbed one wicket apiece to restrict the Americans under 200.
Despite pocketing two crucial points and moving to 20 points from 26 matches, Nepal remains in 7th place on the eight-team League 2 leaderboard, just ahead of the UAE (14 points). Scotland currently leads the standings with 38 points, followed closely by the USA with 36 points, Oman with 31 points, the Netherlands with 28 points, Namibia with 22 points, and Canada with 21 points. To retain their ODI status, Nepal must finish in the top six, while a top-four finish is mandatory to advance to the Global Qualifiers for the ICC Cricket World Cup. With 10 games remaining in the current cycle—two in the ongoing home tri-series and eight across two upcoming away tours—Nepal is scheduled to face Scotland next on Monday, before taking on the USA again on Friday.