KATHMANDU: Nepal defeated the United States of America by six wickets in their Group A match of the ICC World Twenty20 Qualifiers in Stormont, Belfast on Friday.

Batting first, the USA were bowled out for 121 in 20 overs before Nepal overcame the total with two balls to spare.

Vice-captain Gyanendra Malla scored a fluent half century to ease Nepal’s run chase. Malla struck six fours and a six in his 42-ball 53. Anil Mandal, who opened the innings with Sagar Pun after coach Pubudu Dassanayake dropped regular opener Subash Khakurel for the match, scored 29 off 42 balls. Malla and Mandal shared a 78-run partnership for the second wicket after Pun (six) was out in the fifth ball of the innings.

Skipper Paras Khadka and Sharad Vesawkar scored 13 runs for the unbroken fifth wicket to guide the team to victory. Khadka remained unbeaten on 21 off 17 balls that included two hits to the fence, while Vesawkar was not out on two. Binod Bhandari scored seven off eight balls. Jasdeep Singh took 2-23, while Hammad Shahid and Karan Ganesh claimed one wicket each for the USA.

Earlier, the USA made a blistering start scoring 27 runs in the first three overs before Sagar Pun gave Nepal the first breakthrough dismissing opener Fahad Babar (23). Paceman Sompal Kami then trapped Shiva Vashishat (three) leg before and spinners Basant Regmi and Shakti Gauchan combined to put the Americans under pressure.

Regmi had Mrunal Patel caught by Sharad Vesawkar for seven runs in the ninth over and took a return catch to dismiss Timil Patel (two) in the 12th over to reduce the USA to 73-4. Gauchan then struck twice in the 13th over, dismissing dangerous-looking Akeem Dodson, who top scored for the team with 39 off 33 balls that included four fours and a six, and Japen Patel (one) to leave the USA reeling at 86-6.

Gauchan got his third wicket when he had Karan Ganesh (15) caught by Pradeep Airee, while Kami returned to dismiss Muhammad Ghous (two). Regmi then trapped Adil Bhatti for 14 and Karan KC ran out Jasdeep Singh (six) in the last ball of the innings. Spinners Gauchan (3-16) and Regmi (3-24) shared six wickets between them, while paceman Kami took 2-22 and part-time bowler Pun claimed 1-19 for Nepal.

Nepal will play against Namibia on Saturday.

(Updated)

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Nepal get 122-run target from USA

The United States of America have posted a target of 122 runs to Nepal in their Group A match of the ICC World Twenty20 Qualifiers in Stormont, Belfast today.

Batting first after winning the toss, the USA were all out for 121 runs in their allotted 20 overs. Akeem Dodson top scored with 39 off 33 balls that included four boundaries and a six. Opener Fahad Babbar was the next best contributor with 15-ball 23 hitting three fours and a six. Karan Ganesh (15) and Adil Bhatti (14) were the other USA batsmen to score in double figures.

For Nepal, spinners Shakti Prasad Gauchan (3-16) and Basant Regmi (3-24) shared six wickets between them, while paceman Sompal Kami took 2-22 and Sagar Pun claimed 1-19.

The USA made a flying start scoring 27 runs in the first 3 overs before Pun gave Nepal the first breakthrough. Nepal then introduced spinner Gauchan, who not only checked the run rate but also claimed two quick wickets to put the USA under control. Another twin blow by Regmi jolted the USA innings and they struggled before reaching the respectable total.