Kathmandu: Opener Kushal Bhurtel struck a career-best unbeaten 120 as Nepal cruised to a commanding nine-wicket victory over the United States (US) to register their first win of the ongoing ICC World Cup League 2 (WCL-2) tri-series at the TU Cricket Stadium in Kirtipur, Saturday.

Bhurtel, who had been benched in Nepal’s previous three WCL-2 matches against the UAE, Oman and Scotland, produced a scintillating knock of 120 off 118 deliveries to guide the hosts to a comfortable chase.

Earlier, opting to bat first, the US were bowled out for 195 in 43.3 overs after all-rounder Dipendra Singh Airee starred with the ball, claiming four wickets.

In reply, openers Bhurtel and Aasif Sheikh laid the foundation for victory with a fluent 145-run opening partnership as Nepal raced to 199-1 in just 36.4 overs.

Bhurtel smashed 13 boundaries and four sixes during his match-winning innings, bringing up only his second ODI century while surpassing his previous best score of 115 in the format.

His opening partner Aasif struck his 15th ODI half-century, scoring 58 off 72 balls with eight boundaries. Mohammad Mohsin broke the stand in the 27th over after Aasif was caught by Harmeet Singh.

Debutant Ishan Pandey remained unbeaten on 20 off 30 deliveries, sealing the victory with the winning boundary.

Nepal had made two changes to the side that suffered a narrow two-run DLS defeat against Scotland, bringing in Bhurtel and Pandey in place of Binod Bhandari and Karan KC.

Earlier, the US made a steady start despite losing opener Shayan Jahangir cheaply for six. Opener Smit Patel and Shehan Jayasuriya revived the innings with a 100-run stand for the second wicket, both reaching half-centuries.

Jayasuriya scored 50 off 52 balls, including five boundaries and a six, before falling to spinner Airee with Gulsan Jha taking the catch at 122-2 in the 23rd over.

Patel top-scored for the visitors with 83 off 89 deliveries, smashing eight boundaries and three sixes. Sompal Kami dismissed him in the 31st over after wicketkeeper Aasif completed the catch with the US on 158-4.

Patel’s departure triggered a dramatic collapse as the US lost their remaining six wickets for just 40 runs.

Milind Kumar (28 off 41) and Harmeet Singh (14 off 23) were the only other US batters to reach double figures.

Airee was the standout bowler for Nepal, returning figures of 4-24 from seven overs. Sompal claimed 2-35 from seven overs, including a maiden, while Sandeep Lamichhane and Gulsan Jha chipped in with a wicket apiece.

Standing

Despite the victory, Nepal remained seventh in the eight-team standings with 20 points from 26 matches after registering their ninth win of the campaign. Their hopes of finishing in the top four remain slim, with each team set to play 36 matches by the end of the league cycle.

The US are second in the standings with 36 points from 26 matches, having won 18 and lost eight. Scotland lead the table with 38 points from 30 games.