Kathmandu: The touring Nepal team secured a 17-run victory over host USA in the first T20 match held in Dallas on Friday morning.
Nepal set a target of 166 runs, posting 166/9 in their 20 overs. In reply, the USA managed to score only 147/7 in their allotted 20 overs, falling short by 17 runs.
The second match of the three-match T20 series will be held on Sunday morning. Following the series, both teams will participate in the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup League 2.
For the USA, Syed Jhangir was the top scorer, smashing 60 runs off 34 balls, including six fours and two sixes. Andres Gous contributed 30 runs, while Milind Kumar added 22.
On the bowling side, Dipendra Singh Airee took three wickets for Nepal, while Karan KC, Gulshan Jha, and Rijan Dhakal grabbed one wicket each.
Earlier, Nepal’s captain Rohit Kumar Paudel led from the front with a 49-run knock off 33 balls. Dipendra Singh Airee made 28, while openers Anil Shah and Aasif Sheikh both contributed 27 runs each. Gulshan Jha (11) and Kushal Bhurtel (10) added crucial runs, though Karan KC and Arif Sheikh were dismissed for golden ducks.
For the USA, Saurabh Netravalkar, Jasdeep Singh, and Harmit Singh each picked up two wickets.
