Debutant Rushil Ugarkar, still riding the high of his last-over heroics that sealed MI New York’s MLC title, made an instant impact in international cricket. He struck with just his second delivery, removing the dangerous Bhurtel for a duck, feathering an outside edge through to Smit to give USA the perfect start. At the other end, Saurabh Netravalkar kept Nepal tied down with a relentless fourth-stump discipline, forcing Aasif Sheikh and Bhim Sharki into survival mode during the PowerPlay. Jasdeep Singh drew an outside edge from Aasif, but Gous shelled a straightforward catch at first-slip. Aasif rubbed salt into the wound, caressing Jasdeep through point a couple of balls later.
