Nepal wins series against America

Nepal clinched a remarkable T20 series victory against the United States, winning the second match in a nail-biting Super Over on Sunday morning in Dallas, Texas. With the series already 1-0 in their favor after a 17-run victory in the first match, Nepal’s dramatic win secured an unassailable 2-0 lead in the three-match series, with one game still to be played.

The second match went to a Super Over after both teams finished their 20 overs tied at 170 runs. Batting first, Nepal put up 170 runs for the loss of six wickets, driven by a brilliant 92-run knock from Kushal Bhurtel. The US responded in kind, scoring 170/8, with Andries Gous leading the charge with 62 runs from 43 balls, including three fours and four sixes. The tense game was decided by a Super Over when US batsman Jasdeep Singh was run out attempting a two, leaving the teams level at the end of regular play.

In the Super Over, US batsmen Shayan Jahangir and Andries Gous faced Nepal’s Sompal Kami, who delivered a fantastic spell. Kami gave up just two runs off his first two deliveries and then struck twice, dismissing Jahangir and Aaron Jones in consecutive balls, leaving Nepal a target of just three runs to win.

Nepal’s captain Rohit Paudel and opener Kushal Bhurtel took charge in the Super Over. Paudel picked up a single off the first ball, followed by Bhurtel, who added another run. Despite a dot ball in the third delivery, Paudel managed to score again, sealing the victory for Nepal after just four balls, sparking celebrations from the Nepali side.

Before the Super Over, Nepal’s innings was anchored by Bhurtel’s spectacular batting performance. The opener smashed seven boundaries and six towering sixes in his 54-ball innings. Anil Sah also contributed with 25 runs off 31 balls, while Gulsan Jha chipped in with a quick-fire 19 runs from 12 balls. However, the middle order faltered slightly, with Captain Rohit Paudel departing after a 14-ball 18, and Dipendra Singh Airee and Aarif Sheikh falling for 2 and 1 run, respectively. Karan KC added the finishing touches with a six off his only ball.

In response, the US started slowly but gained momentum as Gous and Saiteja Mukkamalla formed key partnerships. However, Nepal’s bowlers kept the pressure on, with Karan KC and Sompal Kami delivering in crucial moments. KC took three wickets, including that of US captain Monank Patel for just one run and Harmeet Singh for two, while Kami picked up two wickets, including Jones for seven and Jasdeep Singh in the final run-out that sent the match into a Super Over.

In the last over of regular play, the US needed seven runs to win, with Gous still at the crease. Kami bowled a tight over, dismissing Gous with the fourth ball, leaving the US needing two runs off the last ball. Jasdeep Singh was run out while attempting the second run, tying the game and sending it into the Super Over.

Nepal’s win secures them the series, with the final match scheduled for Monday morning.