Sandeep Lamichhane returned his best one-day international bowling figures as Nepal thrashed United States in record-breaking fashion in Kathmandu.
In the final match of the Cricket World Cup League triangular series, the touring side were fired out for the equal lowest score in the format’s history.
Lamichhane, the 19-year-old leg-spinner, took six for 16 with the new ball as USA capitulated to 35 all out at Tribhuvan University.
That matches the lowest ever ODI score, made by Zimbabwe against Sri Lanka in Harare 16 years ago.
USA’s pitiful effort was the worst in terms of balls faced. They were all out in 12 overs, which amounts to 11 balls fewer than when Zimbabwe were routed by Afghanistan in Harare in 2017.
In reply, Nepal reached the win with 44.4 overs to spare. It was the fourth most emphatic win in ODI cricket in terms of balls faced.
Lamichhane had saved his best for last in Nepal’s first home series of one-day international matches.
Ahead of the much-anticipated first game, the globetrotting spin-bowler had pledged a donation for the new cricket stadium that is being built in his home city of Chitwan.
“I want Nepal cricket to be a force to reckon with,” Lamichhane tweeted ahead of the series.
“To invest in this dream, I will be donating 8,848 rupees for every wicket I'd take in our games against USA and Oman.
“Nepal's Gautam Buddha International cricket stadium will soon be a reality.”
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Kushal Malla creates history
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Kushal Malla batting for Nepal during the World Cup League Two match against the USA in Kathmandu. Subas Humagain for The National -
Kushal Malla batting for Nepal. Subas Humagain for The National -
Gyanendra Malla batting for Nepal. Subas Humagain for The National -
Nepal supporters during the win over the USA. Subas Humagain for The National -
USA celebrate a wicket. Subas Humagain for The National -
Paras Khadka batting for Nepal. Subas Humagain for The National -
Nepal fans in Kathmandu. Subas Humagain for The National -
Binod Bhandari celebrates his half century for Nepal. Subas Humagain for The National -
USA batsman Akshay Homraj. Subas Humagain for The National -
Nepal celebrate a wicket. Subas Humagain for The National -
USA batsman Cameron Stevenson. Subas Humagain for The National -
Nepal bowler Karan KC celebrates one of his four wickets. Subas Humagain for The National -
Nepal bowler Sandeep Lamichhane appeals for a wicket. Subas Humagain for The National -
Nepal bowler Karan KC. Subas Humagain for The National -
Nepal bowler Paras Khadka. Subas Humagain for The National -
Nepal celebrate a wicket. Subas Humagain for The National
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That figure – which is the height in metres of Mount Everest – equates to around Dh285.
Despite his best efforts, he had not had an especially productive return with the ball in the tri-series until now.
He did take two wickets in the first meeting with USA, but went wicketless in the two matches against Oman, who won all four of their matches, to top the CWCL2 table.
His six was his best in 10 ODIs so far, improving on the four for 24 he had twice taken in matches against UAE in the past.
Sushan Bhari, the left-arm spinner, took four for five to complete USA’s indignity.
Nepal chased the target in just 5.2 overs, with two wickets down. It was their second win in the competition, and gave them a substantial net run-rate boost.
For USA, it was a fifth consecutive defeat in the competition. Their slump has been all the more remarkable for the fact the won six of their first seven CWCL2 matches, and topped the table in the new competition at that time.
“The two guys bowled a dream spell, and I don’t want to take anything away from them, or give any excuses,” Saurabh Netravalkar, USA’s captain, said. “We are very disappointed.”
