Kathmandu: Nepal slumped to a 106-run defeat against the United States (US) in their opening match of the UAE Tri-Series of the ICC World Cup League 2 (WCL-2) at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium on Sunday.

Chasing a target of 263, after opting to bowl first, Nepal struggled to build momentum with the bat and were bundled out for 156 in 39.1 overs. Middle-order batter Dipendra Singh Airee top-scored with 40 off 60 balls before being run out as the final wicket to fall.

Nepal endured a shaky start losing wickets at regular intervals. Opener Aasif Sheikh (37 off 39), Bhim Sharki (29 off 50), Aarif Sheikh (20 off 27) and Sompal Kami (11 off 12) were the other players to reach double figures.

For the US, left-arm spinner Harmeet Singh starred with the ball claiming a brilliant 6-27 from 8.1 overs, including a maiden. Shubham Ranjane picked up two wickets.

Earlier, opener Smit Patel and Milind Kumar hit half-centuries to guide the US to 262-6. Smit top-scored with a composed 75 off 100 deliveries, striking nine fours. Despite the early departure of fellow opener Andries Gous (11) and skipper Monank Patel (10), Smit stabilized the innings with a crucial 95-run partnership for the third wicket alongside Saiteja Mukkamalla.

Milind provided late firepower with an unbeaten 70 off 50 balls, featuring six fours and two sixes. Mukkamalla chipped in with 42 off 58 deliveries, including three boundaries and a six, before falling to Sandeep Lamichhane. Shubham Ranjane (19) and Shayan Jahangir (11) also contributed for the US to lift the total past 260.

Lamichhane led Nepal’s bowling effort with 2-56 from his 10 overs, while Sompal Kami, Aarif Sheikh, and Dipendra Singh Airee claimed a wicket each.

In the ongoing three-year League 2 cycle involving eight teams, Nepal currently sit seventh with 16 points from 13 matches. The USA joined Scotland on top with 30 points. Scotland have played 24 games and the US 21 matches. UAE are languishing at the bottom with just six points from 16 games.

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.