Nepal posted their highest-ever total in One-Day Internationals after scoring 317-8 against the United States in the ICC Cricket World Cup League 2 at the TU International Cricket Ground in Kirtipur on Friday.

Invited to bat first after losing the toss, Nepal set a target of 318 runs for the US, powered by a composed 84 from Ishan Pandey and a half-century from Dipendra Singh Airee.

The total surpassed Nepal’s previous ODI record of 310-8 against Oman set last month. However, Nepal fell four runs short of the highest ODI total recorded at the Kirtipur ground.

Openers Kushal Bhurtel and Aasif Sheikh gave Nepal a solid start, adding 62 runs in the first 10 overs without loss. Shubham Ranjane broke the partnership in the 13th over, dismissing Bhurtel for 29 off 39 balls, including five fours.

Aasif Sheikh scored 43 off 57 deliveries with six boundaries before being caught off a short-pitched delivery from Rushil Ugarkar. Nepal were 84-2 in the 19th over.

Captain Rohit Paudel and Pandey then added 110 runs for the third wicket to stabilise the innings. Paudel made 46 off 59 balls with two fours and a six before Milind Kumar trapped him lbw.

Pandey continued his impressive form, scoring 84 off 83 balls with eight fours and a six. It was his second half-century in three matches and his highest ODI score.

Gulsan Jha contributed 15 off 12 balls, including a six.

Airee accelerated in the closing overs, reaching his half-century in just 29 balls as Nepal crossed the 300-run mark. He eventually scored 59 off 35 deliveries, hitting four boundaries and four sixes.

Sompal Kami made five, while Nandan Yadav was run out for a duck. Aarif Sheikh remained unbeaten on 18 off 10 balls, striking two sixes.

For the US, Ranjane claimed 3-61 in his 10 overs. Milind Kumar and Ugarkar took one wicket each, while Ugarkar conceded 81 runs in nine overs.