Holding their nerves, Skipper Rohit Paudel and hero of innings Kushal Bhurtel gave Nepal an exciting win in a game extended to the super over after the two teams ended their quota of overs with the same number of runs on the board. Nepal made 170 for six while the USA lost the rhythm in the last over, ending with 170 for eight.
The Super Over that followed in deciding the tie saw the home team tumbling under pressure as it could put up only two runs with the loss of wickets of its star batters – Shayan Jahangir and Aaron Jones. In reply, skipper Rohit Paudel and Kushal Bhurtel took no risks to knock out three runs required for a win from four deliveries of Saurabh Netravalker. With this win, Nepal has won the three-match series 2-0 with the third game due tomorrow.
It was a game that had cricket fans sitting at the edge of their seats. However, it was a big heartbreak for the host team as it up a splendid show in chase of a stiff target of 171. At one stage, the match looked well in the grip of the home team with only seven runs required in the last over. Till then, the hero of the American innings, wicketkeeper-batsman Andries Gous was going strong, unbeaten on 61 made from 41 balls with the help of three boundaries and four hits to the maximum.
Sompal Kami, who came to bowl the last over for Nepal, however, had different plans in his mind. He not only accounted for Andries Gous with his fourth ball but also saw another striker Jasdeep Singh getting himself run out while trying to steal the match-winning second run on the last ball of the innings. Jasdeep’s dismissal ended the game in a tie.
The subsequent super over saw the Nepalese hold their nerves and win with two balls to spare after getting two prominent batters of the home team dismissed cheaply, as Shayan Jahangir was clean bowled while trying to force a stroke and Aaron Jones was caught attempting a big hit.
Earlier, Nepal batting first, suffered an early reverse with Aasif Sheikh getting trapped leg-before by Saurabh Netrevalker with scoreboard reading 11 for one. It was Kushal Bhurtel, who took charge of Nepalese innings. His strokeful unbeaten innings of 92 helped the visitors get past their score of the first match (165 for nine) to set a challenge of 171 for the home team.
Kushal was supported by Anil Sah (25), Gulshan Jha 19) and skipper Rohit Paudel (18) in putting up a good total. For the home team Nosthush Kenjige (2/21) was the most successful bowler while Jasdeep Singh also chipped in with 2/32.
Once again skipper Monank Patel went cheaply. Andries Gous once again came to the rescue of his team. In partnership with Salteja Mukkamwalla, he not only steadied the home team’s innings but also put the team on the winning way. The two batted so well that the USA posted 52/1 in the first six overs. When Mukkamwalla left the score was 96 in 11-6 overs. He made 47 from 41 balls with two boundaries and three sixes. Milind Kumar (15 from 11 balls) and Shayan Jahangir (14 from six balls with a four and a six) put the home team in a commanding position.
Lack of big-match temperament proved too much for the US as it frittered away the chance of levelling the series losing two wickets in its attempt to score seven runs in the last over ending with six and a run out on the last ball.
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