Kathmandu: Nepal registered a commanding 122-run victory over the United States (US) after posting their record ODI total at the TU Cricket Stadium to wrap up the home ICC World Cup League 2 (WCL-2) tri-series with a third consecutive win in Kirtipur on Friday.

Put in to bat first, half centuries from newcomer Ishan Pandey and veteran Dipendra Singh Airee powered the hosts to 317-8 before Nepal bowled out the visitors for 195 in 41.2 overs.

It was Nepal’s highest ODI total at the TU Stadium, surpassing their previous best of 310-8 against Oman during the ACC Men’s Premier Cup in April 2023. However, Nepal fell just four runs short of the venue’s highest ODI total of 321-6 set by Scotland against the US earlier in the ongoing series.

Pandey shines again on ODI stage

Pandey, who made his ODI debut against the US earlier in the series, slammed his second successive ODI half century in only his third appearance. Batting at number three, the 28-year-old struck 84 off 83 balls, including eight fours and a six.

Shubham Ranjane ended Pandey’s impressive knock in the 41st over as Shehan Jayasuriya completed the catch. The player-of-the-match also shared a crucial 110-run partnership with captain Rohit Paudel, who narrowly missed his half century.

Paudel scored 46 off 59 balls with two boundaries and a six, while vice-captain Airee struck his ninth ODI fifty before being run out.

Openers Kushal Bhurtel (29 off 39) and Aasif Sheikh (43 off 57) laid a solid foundation with a 69-run opening stand before Bhurtel departed. Gulshan Jha added a quickfire 15 off 12 balls, while Aarif Sheikh remained unbeaten on 18 off 10.

For the US, Ranjane was the standout bowler with figures of 3-61 from his 10 overs, while Rushil Ugarkar and Milind Kumar claimed one wicket apiece.

Nepal bowlers dominate

Chasing 318, the US got off to a disastrous start and lost wickets at regular intervals throughout the innings. Opener Smit Patel was dismissed for a duck in the opening over by medium pacer Sompal Kami, caught behind by wicketkeeper Aasif Sheikh.

Lower middle-order batter Sanjay Krishnamurthi top-scored for the visitors with a brisk 56 off 44 balls, featuring four boundaries and four sixes, before he was bowled by Gulshan Jha.

Nosthush Kenjige (29 off 50), opener Shayan Jahangir (27 off 34), Shehan Jayasuriya (26 off 27), captain Saiteja Mukkamalla (22 off 36), Milind Kumar (12 off 19) and Saurabh Netravalkar (10 off 19) were the other notable contributors for the US.

Leg-spinner Sandeep Lamichhane delivered another impressive spell, returning figures of 3-30 from his 10 overs, including a maiden. Lalit Rajbanshi, Dipendra Singh Airee and Gulshan Jha picked up two wickets each.

Third straight win for Nepal

Nepal secured their third victory of the series from four matches, strengthening their push for a top-four finish in the WCL-2 cycle.

After suffering a two-run defeat to Scotland via the DLS method in the opening match, Nepal bounced back strongly with three consecutive wins — twice against the US and once against Scotland — to collect six points from a possible eight.

Nepal sit fifth in the standings with 24 points from 28 matches, four points behind fourth-placed the Netherlands, who have played four more matches.

The US remain at the top of the table with 38 points from 28 games, level on points with Scotland but ahead on net run rate.

The top four teams at the end of the league stage, after 36 matches each, will secure direct qualification for the ICC World Cup Qualifier.