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In the 15th round of the ICC World Cup League 2, the United States of America produced a commanding performance to defeat Nepal by 106 runs in the first match, held on Wednesday. The result lifted the USA to the top of the points table with 30 points, overtaking Scotland on a superior net run rate, while Nepal’s struggles continued as they remained on just 12 points from 17 games.
Batting first, the USA posted a strong total of 262 for 6 in their 50 overs, thanks to impressive batting efforts from Smit Patel, Milind Kumar, and Saiteja Mukkamalla. In reply, Nepal faltered badly, bowled out for just 156 in 39.1 overs, as left-arm spinner Harmeet Singh produced a match-winning spell, claiming 6 wickets to crush Nepal’s chase.
USA’s solid batting foundation
Put in to bat first, the USA began cautiously before opening up in the middle overs. Wicketkeeper-batter Smit Patel led from the front with a fluent 75, anchoring the innings and ensuring stability at the top. Partnering him, Milind Kumar continued his fine form, playing confidently through the off-side and adding 70 runs, building crucial partnerships that kept the scoreboard ticking.
Saiteja Mukkamalla chipped in with a handy 42, rotating the strike and accelerating towards the end, helping the USA cross the 260-run mark — a total that would eventually prove far too steep for Nepal.
Nepal’s bowlers struggled to find consistency, with Sandeep Lamichhane the most effective among them, taking 2 wickets for 44 runs. Sompal Kami, Aarif Sheikh, and Dipendra Singh Airee each picked up one wicket apiece, but the lack of penetration with the new ball allowed the USA to dominate the innings.
Harmeet Singh spins Nepal out
Chasing a target of 263, Nepal’s innings never gained momentum. Openers Aasif Sheikh and Kushal Bhurtel made a cautious start but failed to build a significant partnership. Aasif fought hard for his 37 runs, showing composure against the pace attack, while Dipendra Singh Airee played the only substantial innings of the chase with a well-made 40 off 56 balls.
Apart from Bhim Sarki’s 29 and Aarif Sheikh’s 20, no other batter offered resistance. The middle order collapsed under pressure, with captain Rohit Paudel, all-rounder Gulshan Jha, and key bowler Sandeep Lamichhane all falling cheaply.
The star of the show was undoubtedly Harmeet Singh, who delivered a stunning spell of 6 wickets, ripping through Nepal’s batting lineup with sharp turn and accuracy. His variations and control on a slow surface left Nepal’s batters guessing, and he was well-supported by Shubham Ranjane, who took 2 wickets, and Rushil Ugarkar, who chipped in with 1 wicket.
Nepal were eventually dismissed for 156 runs, falling 106 runs short of the target in what turned out to be a one-sided affair.
USA’s rise to the top
With this win, the USA continued their impressive run in the League 2 campaign, moving to 30 points, edging ahead of Scotland, who also have 30 but trail on net run rate. The victory showcased the USA’s growing depth in both batting and bowling, as the team maintained composure even after a slow start and displayed strong fielding discipline throughout the match.
For captain Monank Patel, it was a satisfying performance as his team executed their plans perfectly — building pressure with the bat and maintaining attacking fields during Nepal’s innings.
In contrast, Nepal’s campaign woes deepened, as they have now lost several matches on the trot. Despite flashes of individual brilliance from Dipendra Singh Airee and Aasif Sheikh, the team continues to struggle for consistency in both departments. Their batting collapses, in particular, have been a recurring issue, as no player has stepped up to anchor the innings or play the long game.
Nepal’s next challenge: UAE
Nepal will now look to regroup before facing the United Arab Emirates (UAE) in their second match of the series on Thursday. The game offers a vital opportunity for Nepal to bounce back and regain momentum in the tournament.
Currently, the UAE sit on 6 points from 16 matches, placing them near the bottom of the standings. For Nepal, a win would not only boost morale but also keep their qualification hopes mathematically alive.
As the League 2 competition intensifies, both teams will be under pressure to improve performances and secure much-needed points in their upcoming fixtures. Nepal still have three matches left on their UAE tour — and with limited time remaining, every game will be crucial.
