By a Staff Reporter
Kathmandu – Nepal’s number 3 batsman, Bhim Sharki, showcased his remarkable skills with an unbeaten knock of 77 runs, leading Nepal to a convincing 6-wicket victory over the USA in an ongoing ICC Cricket World Cup Qualifier at Takashinga Sports Club.
Invited to bat first, USA were bowled out for 207 runs in 49 overs. Shayan Jahangir played a crucial century inning, contributing to his team’s modest total. The middle-order wicketkeeper-batsman displayed aggression, smashing 10 fours and 3 sixes to accumulate an unbeaten 100 runs off just 79 deliveries.
Nepal’s pacer, Karan KC, made an early breakthrough by dismissing Steven Taylor for just 4 runs off 9 balls through an LBW in the 1.5 overs. Karan continued his excellent performance by dismissing Saiteja Mukkamalla for a golden duck right after. He then went on to claim the wicket of USA’s skipper, Aaron Jones, who managed only 2 runs in 7.5 overs.
Karan further demonstrated his prowess by sending Nosthush Kenjige back into the dugout for just 1 run. Karan finished his impressive spell with figures of 4-33 in 9 overs, including 3 maiden overs, contributing significantly to restricting USA to a modest total.
Additionally, Gulshan Jha took 3 wickets, while Dipendra Singh Airee and Lalit Rajbanshi chipped in with 2 and 1 wicket, respectively.
Sushant Modani (42), Gajanand Singh (26), Nisarg Patel (8), Jessy Singh (12), Saurabh Netravalker (4), and Kyle Phillip (0) made contributions to the USA’s innings.
In response, Nepal comfortably chased down the target of 208 runs, posting 211/4 with 42 balls remaining. Bhim Sharki played a brilliant inning of 77 not out, smashing 7 fours and 1 six off 114 deliveries, guiding Nepal to victory.
However, opener Kushal Bhurtel (39) and Aasif Sheikh (12) departed early, followed by skipper Rohit Paudel, who scored 16 runs. Young all-rounder Kushal Malla had a disappointing day as he fell for just 13 runs off 13 balls. On a positive note, Dipendra Singh Airee provided valuable support with an unbeaten 39 runs.
USA’s bowlers, Saurabh Netravalkar, Nosthush Kenjige, Nisarg Patel, and Steven Taylor, each managed to take one wicket.
Nepal, who lost to the hosts Zimbabwe in the opener will now face the heavy-weight West Indies on Thursday, followed by a match against the Netherlands on Saturday.
