The Nepalese national cricket team registered their first victory in the Cricket World Cup Qualifier defeating the USA by six wickets at Takashinga Sports Club on Tuesday.
Chasing an modest total of 208 runs, Nepal achieved the target in 43 overs, losing four wickets.
Bhim Sharki was the star of the chase with a calm and composed innings of unbeaten 77 runs. He completed the half-century in 97 runs and added 27 more runs from the next 17 balls. Sharki notched up seven fours and one six from the 114-ball innings.
Highest score in #ODI for Bhim Sharki as he guided #Nepal to a comfortable 6-wicket victory over #USA.
77* vs USA
70 vs UAE
67 vs UAE#NEPvUSA #BhimSharki #CWCQ23 #CWC23 pic.twitter.com/bFqs9kZyi7— cricnepal.com 🇳🇵 🦏 (@cricnepal) June 20, 2023
Opener Kushal Bhurtel scored 39, whereas Dipendra Singh Airee scored the winning boundary and remained unbeaten for 32-ball 39.
Earlier, The USA posted a fighting total of 207 runs before being bowled out in 49 overs. Despite a disastrous start, Shayan Jahangir scored a ton to rescue the USA.
Invited to bat first, USA were 94/6 at one stage of the match. Karan KC yielded a fiery start for Nepal, picking up four wickets within the powerplay. KC sent back Steven Taylor, Saiteja Mukkamalla, Aaron Jones and Nosthush Kenjige as USA were 19 for 4 after the end of ten overs.
Dipendra Singh Airee dismissed the previous match’s centurion Gajanand Singh for 26. Sushant Modani was knocked over by Rajbanshi for 42 as the USA were down to 94/6 in the 28th over.
Shayan Jahangir then led from the front and scored a remarkable century to rescue USA. He shared 34 runs with Nisarg Patel (8) for the seventh wicket and 42 runs with Jessy Singh (12) for the eighth wicket.
Jahangir completed his ton in 79 balls, smacking ten fours and three sixes.
Gulshan Jha dismissed both batters in the 49th over, and the USA were bowled out with one over spare as Jahangir remained unbeaten for 100.
For Nepal, Karan KC was the pick of the bowlers, grabbing four wickets (9-3-33-4). Similarly, Gulshan Jha (10-0-52-3) grabbed three, whereas Airee pocketed two.
