Bhurtel, Poudel star as Nepal beat US by 5 wickets

KATHMANDU:  Nepal National Cricket Team registered a five-wicket victory against the USA in the one day international played under the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup League 2 at AI Amerat Cricket Ground, Oman on Monday. 

Nepal reached the target of 231 runs set by the opponent in the 49th over for the loss of five wickets. Thanks to half-centuries by opener Kushal Bhurtel and Rohit Poudel. Bhurtel hit 3 boundaries and 3 maximums to score 84 off 93 balls while Poudel added 62 unbeaten to Nepal’s scoreboard from 87 balls. While Binod Bhandari scored 37 (48), Aasif Sheikh added 23 (42) to guide the team to the victory. 

Captain Gyanedra Malla could score only 17 runs while Kushal Malla returned to pavilion for a single run. 

US bowlers duo Nisarg Patel and Nosthush Kenjige took two wickets each and Saurabh Netravalkar claimed one. 

After winning the toss, the US  opted to bat first in the 50-over day-night match. US batsman Monank Patel scored 100 runs off 113 balls including 9 boundaries and a maximum. No other batsmen other than Nisarg Patel (21) could score significant runs.  

Nepal’s Bikram Sob, Sandeep Lamichhane and Sushan Bhari took two wickets each while Kushal Malla sent a batsman to the pavilion. 

Kushal Bhurtel was declared Man of the Match in Monday's match.

Nepal will play another match against Oman on Tuesday. The match is scheduled to begin at 4:15PM.