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May 16, 2026
8:21 AM
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Nepal vs USA Live: Sompal Kami Strikes Early as USA Start Cautiously in Kirtipur
The 106th match of the ICC Cricket World Cup League Two 2023–27 is underway at the Tribhuvan University International Cricket Ground in Kirtipur, and the contest has already produced an interesting opening spell.
After winning the toss, the United States of America chose to bat first on a surface that has traditionally offered help to bowlers early in the innings. Nepal responded exactly the way their fans would have hoped, keeping the scoring in check and picking up an important wicket inside the powerplay.
At 32/1 after 8.2 overs, the USA have made a steady but cautious start. Smit Patel has looked composed at the crease, while Nepal’s disciplined bowling attack has ensured that boundaries have been difficult to come by.
USA Opt to Bat After Winning the Toss
USA captain Saiteja Mukkamalla had no hesitation in choosing to bat first. The decision made sense, considering that Kirtipur can become more challenging for batters as the match progresses.
The American side included several experienced names such as Smit Patel, Shehan Jayasuriya, Milind Kumar, Harmeet Singh, and Saurabh Netravalkar. On paper, it is a balanced team with batting depth and useful bowling options.
Nepal, led by Rohit Paudel, went in with a strong XI featuring Sompal Kami, Sandeep Lamichhane, Dipendra Singh Airee, and Lalit Rajbanshi.
Sompal Kami Sets the Tone
Sompal Kami was outstanding with the new ball. His first over was a maiden, immediately putting pressure on Smit Patel.
For six deliveries, Patel was unable to score. It was the kind of over that energized the crowd and gave Nepal an early advantage.
Kami continued to bowl with discipline, keeping his lines tight and forcing the USA batters to take minimal risks.
His reward came in the seventh over when he bowled Shayan Jahangir for 6 off 15 balls.
Jahangir struggled to find rhythm throughout his stay. Nepal’s bowlers denied him scoring opportunities, and eventually Sompal beat his defence to send the stumps cartwheeling.
Smit Patel Holds One End
While Jahangir found scoring difficult, Smit Patel played with patience.
He absorbed pressure early and then released it with a few well-timed boundaries. Patel reached 21 from 29 balls, striking four fours.
His innings has been built on composure rather than aggression. Given the conditions, that approach may prove valuable if he can convert his start into a substantial score.
Shehan Jayasuriya Begins Carefully
After the fall of Jahangir, Shehan Jayasuriya joined Patel at the crease.
The left-hander started cautiously and was unbeaten on 4 from 6 deliveries at the latest update.
With Nepal’s bowlers maintaining a disciplined line, Jayasuriya has focused on rotating the strike rather than attacking immediately.
Nepal’s Bowlers Keep the Pressure On
Nepal have executed their plans very well.
Sompal Kami has been the standout performer with figures of 4.2 overs, 1 maiden, 20 runs, and 1 wicket.
Lalit Rajbanshi was equally effective, bowling three overs for just 10 runs. His accuracy through the middle overs helped build pressure and limited the USA’s momentum.
Nandan Yadav also made an economical start, conceding only two runs in his first over.
This collective effort has ensured that the USA scoring rate remains under four runs per over.
Why This Partnership Is Important
The current partnership between Smit Patel and Shehan Jayasuriya is crucial.
If they can bat through the next 10 to 15 overs, the USA will be in a strong position to accelerate later with Milind Kumar and Harmeet Singh still to come.
However, if Nepal manage to pick up one or two quick wickets, the visitors could find themselves under considerable pressure.
Match Situation at 8.2 Overs
USA are 32/1 in 8.2 overs.
Smit Patel: 21* off 29 balls
Shehan Jayasuriya: 4* off 6 balls
Sompal Kami: 1 wicket
Current run rate: 3.84 runs per over.
The match is finely poised, but Nepal will be happier with how the opening phase has unfolded.
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Final Thoughts
This has been a classic Kirtipur start. Nepal have used the conditions intelligently, bowled with discipline, and struck at the right time.
USA still have the batting resources to post a competitive total, but they will need Smit Patel to continue his measured innings and build a substantial partnership with Shehan Jayasuriya.
With spin options such as Sandeep Lamichhane yet to come into the attack, the middle overs could determine the direction of this contest.
The game remains evenly balanced, and both teams know that one strong partnership or one quick burst of wickets can shift the momentum completely.
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