Nepal national cricket team clinched a 17-run victory over the USA in the first T2OI of the three-match series at Grand Prairie Stadium, Dallas on Friday.
Batting first, Nepal posted a total of 164 for 9 after USA won the toss. The openers, Anil Sah and Aasif Sheikh posted a 48 run partnership from 33 balls, including 6 fours and a six. Kushal Bhurtel was off color with his 13 ball stay at the crease, managing 10 runs with no boundaries.
Meanwhile, Skipper Rohit Paudel held the innings with 49 runs in 33 balls with 4 fours and a six. He managed a crucial 66-runs partnership for fifth wicket with Dipendra Singh Airee.
Airee smashed two fours and a six in his 17-balls innings for 28 runs. Gulshan Jha also contributed 11 runs in 7 balls to post 164.
Saurabh Netravalkar, Jasdeep Singh and Harmeet Singh grabbed two-wicket each.
During the chase, USA lost two openers early. Mukkamalla (2) and Skipper Monank Patel (3), both dismissed at 8 runs. Andries Gous threatened early with two sixes and two fours in 25 balls, however, Gulshan Jha dismissed him for 30 runs.
Aaron Jones was run out for 3 runs and Milind Kumar contributed 22 off 26 balls. USA struggled in their chase as they were 56 for 4 at the halfway stage while chasing.
Shayan Jahangir was the lone-warrior, bringing his half-century off 32 balls and looked to take away the game away from Nepal. Rohit introduced Dipendra Singh Airee and what a move it was from the skipper. He took two wickets from his first two balls and restricted USA to 147 for 7.
Airee starred with the ball pocketing three wickets in his three overs, giving away 27 runs and earned Player of the match.
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