Winning the toss, Nepal invited the USA to bat first but went on to concede a massive 366 for six in maximum 50 overs, thanks to Nepal’s toothless bowling attack. In reply Nepal was all out for 272 with one ball remaining in the innings [break]
USA opener S Taylor smacked an explosive 162 of just 102 balls that contained 12 fours and as many sixes, while forging a 125-run opening stand with O Baker (37) that laid a strong foundation for a big total. Taylor was later adjudged man of the match for his match winning knock.
Another USA batsman T Allen, who came to bat at No 7, blasted 67 of 34 balls with four fours and six sixes, propelling the team score past 350-run mark.
Hapless Nepali bowlers were punished being hit all around the field, with all of them having economy rate above 7 except Basanta Regmi, whose bowling figures were 10-0-46-2 with 4.6 economy rate.
Besides, Amrit Bhattarai, spinners Sanjam Regmi and Shakti Gauchan took one wicket apiece. USA batsmen hit 25 fours and 22 sixes, combined. Nepal conceded 21 runs as extras.
Required to score a mammoth 367 runs for win, Nepal never looked in the hunt as it lost opener Anil Mandal for duck in second over and another opener Subash Khakurel (23) in the eighth over.
Nepal lost Gyanendra Malla (9), Binod Bhandari (4) and Pradeep Airee (14) cheaply, with half of its batting lineup eliminated for just 106 runs in the 24th over. Skipper Paras Khadka and Sharad Vesawkar shared a 69-run sixth wicket partnership, the highest in Nepali innings.
Khadka scored 73 off 64 balls, with nine fours and 2 sixes and Vesawkar made 71 off 61 balls with four fours six sixes, but not enough to help the team reach the winning total.
Gauchan hit 39 off 47 balls towards the end of Nepali innings and was the last man out in 49.5 overs. Basanta Regmi made 7, Sanjam Regmi 14,while Amrit Bhattarai remained not out, without scoring.
For the winning team, N MacGarell took three wickets, while E Hutchingson and M Ghous claimed two wickets each. Likewise, B Bartley grabbed one wicket, while two Nepali batsmen were run out.
In other matches, Uganda beat host Bermuda by 114 runs whereas Oman humiliated Italy by seven wickets. Nepal will play Uganda Monday night.
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