Harmeet Singh’s six-for leaves Nepal clueless in 106-run defeat

By Cricketing Country | Posted Posted Oct 26, 2025

USA climbed to the top of the ICC Cricket World Cup League 2 table after dismantling Nepal by 106 runs at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium on Sunday. Chasing 263, Nepal were bundled out for 156, slumping to their tenth defeat of the tournament.

Opting to bowl first, Nepal once again struggled to close out the innings. USA capitalized on wayward death bowling, hammering 91 runs in the final 10 overs, including 19 off the last over from Karan KC, to reach 262 for 6.

Smit Patel anchored the innings with a composed 75 off 100 deliveries, striking nine boundaries. His 95-run third-wicket partnership with Saiteja Mukkamalla (42) stabilized the innings after early losses. Milind Kumar then provided a powerful finish, smashing an unbeaten 70 from 50 balls with five fours and two sixes.

Nepal’s bowling returns were modest. Sandeep Lamichhane finished with 2 for 56, while Sompal Kami, Aarif Sheikh and Dipendra Singh Airee chipped in with a wicket each.

The chase never got fluent for Nepal. Asif Sheikh contributed 37 at the top, but Nepal’s innings derailed once again. Dipendra Singh Airee battled for a 60-ball 40, yet found no substantial support down the order.

Left-arm spinner Harmeet Singh was the chief destroyer, returning superb figures of 6 for 27 from 8.1 overs, ripping through Nepal’s middle and lower order with control and sharp turn. He also boosted USA’s total earlier with a brisk 16 off 6 balls. Shubham Ranjane (2 wickets) and Rushil Ugarkar (1 wicket) provided able support as Nepal fell well short of the target.

The win lifts USA to 30 points from 21 matches, putting them in pole position in the League 2 standings. Nepal will look for a turnaround when they take on hosts UAE on Thursday.