Kathmandu: Openers Smit Patel and Milind Kumar smashed half-centuries as the United States (US) set a 263-run target against Nepal in their opening fixture of the UAE Tri-Series under the ICC World Cup League 2 (WCL-2) at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium on Sunday.

Sent to bat first after losing the toss, the US put up 262-6- in their first One-Day International of the series.

Smit Patel led from the front with a composed 75 off 100 balls — the top score of the innings — peppered with nine boundaries. Despite the early setbacks of losing fellow opener Andries Gous (11) and skipper Monank Patel (10), Smit held the innings together with a crucial 95-run stand for the third wicket alongside Saiteja Mukkamalla before being run out.

Middle-order batter Milind Kumar added further momentum, remaining unbeaten on 70 off 50 deliveries, laced with six fences and two sixes. Mukkamalla also played a valuable hand, striking 42 off 58 balls with three boundaries and a six before falling to Sandeep Lamichhane.

Shubham Ranjane (19) and Shayan Jahangir (11) chipped in as the US built a competitive total.

For Nepal, star leg-spinner Lamichhane was the pick of the bowlers, returning figures of 2 for 56 from his 10 overs. Sompal Kami, Aarif Sheikh, and Dipendra Singh Airee grabbed one wicket each.

Nepal Squad: Kushal Bhurtel, Aasif Sheikh, Dipendra Singh Airee, Bhim Sharki, Aarif Sheikh, Rohit Paudel (C), Gulsan Jha, Sompal Kami, Karan KC, Sandeep Lamichhane, Lalit Rajbanshi.