During their tour of the USA, Nepal triumphed over the home team in the second match of a three-match T20 International series, winning in a Super Over and securing the series 2-0 ahead of the final game. This is Nepal’s first international series against the USA, marking a historic victory for the team. In the first match of the series, Nepal won by 17 runs. The final match will be held on Monday.
In Dallas, at Grand Prairie, Nepal set a target of 171 runs, and despite the USA’s efforts, they finished their 20 overs with 170 runs, losing 8 wickets, which led the match into a Super Over.
Super Over Highlights:
Batting first in the Super Over, the USA managed only 2 runs. Sompal Kami, bowling the first two deliveries, conceded just 2 runs and then took two wickets, dismissing Shayan Jahangir bowled and catching Aaron Jones. Andris Gaus remained not out on 1 run.
Nepal successfully chased down the target of just 3 runs in two balls. Captain Rohit Paudel scored 1 run off the first ball from Saurabh Netravalkar, followed by another run from Kushal Bhurtel off the second ball. Rohit couldn’t score on the third ball, but secured the victory for Nepal with a single run off the fourth ball.
Earlier in the game, Nepal staged a remarkable comeback after being in a difficult position at 133 runs with only 3 wickets down, ultimately tying the match.
In a nail-biting finish, with only 7 runs needed in the final over, Sompal Kami conceded just 6 runs. With 3 runs required from the last three balls, he caught Andris Gaus on the fourth delivery, putting the USA under pressure. With 2 runs needed off the final ball, Jasdip Singh managed to score 1 run, but was run out by Dipendra Aire while attempting the second run.
In the USA’s batting lineup, Andries Gous was the top scorer with 62 runs off 43 balls, hitting 3 fours and 4 sixes. Opener Saiteja Mukkamaala contributed 47 runs from 21 balls, including 2 fours and 3 sixes. Milind Kumar scored 15 runs, while Shayan Jahangir added 14.
For Nepal, Karan KC was the standout bowler, taking 3 wickets for 35 runs in 4 overs. Sompal Kami claimed 2 wickets, while Sagar Dhakal and Dipendra Singh Airee each took 1 wicket.
Batting first after winning the toss, Nepal posted a total of 170 runs for the loss of 6 wickets in their 20 overs.
Kushal Bhurtel was the top scorer for Nepal, amassing 92 runs off 54 balls, including 7 fours and 4 sixes. This marks Bhurtel’s ninth T20 International half-century in 52 matches, with his last half-century coming 16 games ago against Papua New Guinea in March.
Apart from Bhurtel, other batters struggled to score significantly. Opener Anil Shah contributed 25 runs off 31 balls with 2 fours and 1 six. Gulsan Jha scored 19 runs off 12 balls with 2 fours and 1 six, while captain Rohit Paudel added 18 runs from 14 balls with 2 fours. Aasif Sheikh, Dipendra Airee, and Aarif Sheikh managed only 1, 2, and 1 run, respectively, while Karan KC finished not out with 6 runs off just 1 ball.
After Aasif Sheikh was dismissed in the third over, Bhurtel formed a solid partnership of 49 runs for the second wicket with Anil Shah, helping to stabilize the innings despite regular wickets falling.
In the USA’s bowling lineup, Jasdeep Singh and Noshtush Kenjige each took 2 wickets, while Saurabh Netravalkar claimed 1 wicket.
