Agencies
Despite exceptional bowling by all-rounder Aadil Ansari in the last over of Nepal’s match against the USA under the ICC World Cup League 2 triangular ODI series, the dramatic match between the two countries ended in a draw.
USA, who were chasing a target of 275 runs for victory, made 274 runs in 50 overs losing 6 wickets to tie the match. The hosts were in need of 6 runs from the last six balls for victory but Ansari spent only 5 runs to settle for a draw. Both the teams shared one point each.
In the last over, USA needed just one run from the last two balls for victory. But Rohit Poudel’s superb catch in the fifth ball of the last over dismissed Aaron Jones to the delight of the visitors. USA’s Rahul Jariwala was run out in the last ball as the match ended in a draw in a dramatic fashion.
USA’s Steven Taylor played a century innings scoring 114 runs off 123 balls that included 11 boundaries and 3 sixes. It was his first century in his career. Ansari, who made his ODI debut for Nepal, took 3 wickets giving away 45 runs in 9 overs. Sandeep Lamichhane and Sompal Kami took a wicket each.
Earlier, Nepal opted to bat first at the Musa Cricket Stadium in Houston after winning the toss and scored 274 runs in 49.2 overs losing all wickets. Rohit Poudel topscored 62 runs off 72 balls for Nepal.
USA’s Rusty Theron took 4 wickets while Saurav Netrawal and Ali Khan grabbed two wickets each. Likewise, Nargis Patel and Yasir Mohammad bagged a wicket each.
