Horror Show - USA Cricket Team Shout Out For 35 Against Nepal

On April 25, 2004, Zimbabwe were bowled out for 35 against Sri Lanka at Harare and it became the lowest score in the history of ODI cricket. 16 years later, the United States of America cricket team matched Zimbabwe as they were shot out for 35 by Nepal's Cricket Team in the ICC Cricket World Cup League Two 2019-22 clash at the Tribhuvan University International Cricket Ground in Kirtipur on Wednesday. Sandeep Lamichhane, Nepal's ace legspinner who has achieved plenty of success in foreign Twenty20 Leagues, was the star with 6/16 and he was well-assisted by Sushan Bhari who took 4/5 as Nepal chased down the target in just 5.2 overs to complete a facile win.

Not only was USA's total of 35 the joint-lowest in the history of ODI cricket, but Nepal's margin of victory with 268 balls to spare was the fourth-highest victory margin in terms of balls remaining. USA's innings was finished in 72 balls which became the shortest completed innings in terms of balls, breaking the previous record of 83 set by Zimbabwe against Afghanistan in 2017 in Harare. The match aggregate of 71 runs became the lowest in the history of ODI cricket, breaking the previous record of 73 set by Canada against Sri Lanka in the 2003 World Cup clash in Paarl.

Nepal chose to bowl and immediately they had success in the second over when Lamichhane sent back Ian Holland for 0 with Paras Khadka taking the catch. Xavier Marshall slammed two fours off Karan KC as USA looked to get going. At 23/1 in six overs, things did not look too ominous. However, what followed afterwards was carnage. Marshall fell for 16 to Bhari as Khadka took his second catch. Lamichhane came back for his second spell and he got the wickets of Monak Patel and Nisarg Patel in the same over.

Zimbabwe were also bowled out for 35 during an ODI against Sri Lanka in Harare in 2004. (Image credit: Getty Images)

Bhari got the wicket of Aaron Jones for 4 and USA were tottering at 30/5 in nine overs. Lamichhane sent back Timil Patel and Bhari got the wickets of Cameron Stevenson and former South Africa pacer Rusty Theron in quick succession. Lamichhane sent back Akshay Homraj and Nosthush Kenjige as USA lost nine wickets for 12 runs to be bowled out for a miserable score.

Nepal Cruise To Win

In response, Nepal suffered two early jolts when Nosthush Kenjige struck twice in the second over by sending back Gyanendra Malla and Subash Khakurel. Khadka and Dipendra Singh eased some nerves with a couple of boundaries but in the fifth over bowled by Timil Patel, Khadka blasted two fours and a six. Dipendra Singh finished the match in grand style with a six off Kenjige as Nepal won by eight wickets and USA's humiliation was complete.

Also Read | Paras Khadka Creates History As Nepal Enter Prestigious Twenty20 International List

This was the ninth instance of a team getting bowled out for under 50 in an ODI clash. Canada were bowled out for 36 against Sri Lanka while Zimbabwe were bowled out for 38 in an ODI in Colombo against Sri Lanka in the match which saw Chaminda Vaas taking a world record 8/19 which remains the best spell by a bowler in ODIs. Sri Lanka were bowled out for 43 by South Africa in Paarl in 2012 while Pakistan were bowled out for 43 against West Indies in Cape Town in 1993. Zimbabwe were bowled out for 44 against Bangladesh in Chhatogram in 2009 while Canada were dismissed for 45 against England in Manchester during the 1979 World Cup. Namibia were bowled out for 45 by Australia in Potchefstroom in the 2003 World Cup.

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