The United States claimed a commanding 106-run victory over Nepal in Match 85 of the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup League 2 at Dubai International Stadium on October 26, 2025 . After posting 262/6 in their 50 overs, USA bowled out Nepal for just 156 runs in 39.1 overs. Harmeet Singh delivered a match-winning performance with career-best figures of 6/27, while Milind Kumar’s unbeaten 70 powered the American batting effort. The victory strengthens USA’s position in second place on the League 2 standings as they chase World Cup qualification.
Sources: ESPNcricinfo, Outlook India
Scorecard
| Team | Score | Overs | Wickets | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| United States of America | 262 | 50.0 | 6 | Won by 106 runs |
| Nepal | 156 | 39.1 | 10 | Lost |
Top Performers
| Player | Team | Role | Performance |
|---|---|---|---|
| Harmeet Singh | USA | Bowler | 6/27 (8.1 overs) |
| Milind Kumar | USA | Batsman | 70* (50 balls, 5 fours, 2 sixes) |
| Smit Patel | USA | Batsman | 75 (100 balls, 9 fours) |
| Aasif Sheikh | Nepal | Batsman | 37 (39 balls, 4 fours, 1 six) |
| Dipendra Singh Airee | Nepal | All-rounder | 40 (60 balls, 3 fours) |
Sources: Match scorecard provided
Key Moments
- Early USA wobble: Andries Gous fell cheaply for 11, and captain Monank Patel departed for 10 as Nepal struck early
- Patel-Mukkamalla partnership: Smit Patel (75) and Saiteja Mukkamalla (42) rebuilt with a crucial 95-run stand for the third wicket
- Milind’s explosive finish: Kumar smashed an unbeaten 70 off just 50 balls, striking at 140%, to propel USA past 260
- Kushal’s golden duck: Nepal’s chase started disastrously as Kushal Bhurtel was dismissed for 0 off just 2 balls
- Harmeet’s six-wicket haul: The left-arm spinner ripped through Nepal’s middle and lower order, taking six wickets including the final four batsmen
- Quick collapse: Nepal lost their last six wickets for just 51 runs as Harmeet Singh dominated
Match Analysis
USA’s innings showed great resilience after losing early wickets. Smit Patel’s 75 off 100 balls anchored the middle overs , while Saiteja Mukkamalla contributed a valuable 42. But it was Milind Kumar’s brilliant 70 not out that changed the game. His aggressive batting in the final overs, including five fours and two sixes, pushed USA to a competitive total.
Nepal’s chase never got going. They lost Kushal Bhurtel without scoring in the first over, and despite Aasif Sheikh’s aggressive 37 and Dipendra Singh Airee’s patient 40, they could not build meaningful partnerships. Harmeet Singh’s spin bowling proved unplayable on the Dubai pitch. His 6/27 in 8.1 overs broke Nepal’s batting completely.
The match also featured strong support from other USA bowlers. Shubham Ranjane took 2/32, while the pacers kept things tight. Nepal’s bowling had done well to restrict USA to 262, with Sandeep Lamichhane (2/56) and Sompal Kami (1/56) picking up wickets, but their batting let them down badly.
What’s Next
This match kicks off a tri-series in Dubai running from October 26 to November 5, featuring USA, Nepal, and hosts UAE . USA currently sit second on the League 2 table with 28 points from 20 matches, and this win strengthens their position in the race for direct qualification to the Cricket World Cup Qualifier. Nepal remain seventh with five wins from 16 games and need to bounce back quickly in their remaining matches.
The teams will meet again on November 1 at ICC Academy Oval 1, giving Nepal a chance to even the score in this tri-series.
Sources: USA Cricket, Outlook India, CricNepal