Ties happen more often in ODI cricket than they do in the longest form, though they are just as exciting when they do.

So was the case at the Moosa Stadium in Pearland, Texas as USA and Nepal played out the 41st tie in men’s ODI history yesterday as part of CWC League 2.

Nepal captain Sandeep Lamichhane won the toss and chose to have his team bat first. Each of the first four partnerships contributed over 50 to the total, with Aasif Sheikh’s 61 and Rohit Paudel’s 62 the highlights.

From 243-3 in the 44th over though, Nepal contrived to be bowled out for 274 with four balls left to come in their innings. It would prove to be costly. Rusty Theron, who had only taken three wickets in these Texas ODIs so far, was the pick of the bowlers for the home team, taking 4-56.

The USA lost opener Sushant Modani in the sixth over of their reply, but a 200 run partnership between Monank Patel and Steven Taylor - who reached his first ODI century during the stand - had them firmly on the front foot.

That partnership ended when Patel was out for 85 and when Taylor was out for 114 soon afterwards, Nepal had two fresh batters at the crease and renewed hope. Aaron Jones hit a six in the 45th over and got the home side into a position where they needed 26 from the last five overs.

Six runs and a wicket from the 46th left them needing 20 from four and they managed to find gaps in the field for singles in the next over, scoring five from it. The 48th over went for just three runs though, and they needed twelve from the last two.

There were no boundaries from the penultimate over, though Karan KC didn’t help Nepal’s cause by bowling two wides and going for six runs. The final over, bowled by Mohammad Alam, saw singles from the first three balls, followed by Alam overstepping, very much not what Nepal wanted at that stage.

Two runs needed from three balls then, and it became one from two when Rahul Jariwala brought the scores level from the free hit. But from the penultimate delivery, Aaron Jones was caught for 26 and Jariwala was run out as the batters tried to scamper the winning run from the final ball and the match was tied.

A thrilling conclusion, though both sides will regret some squandered opportunities, particularly Nepal’s death over bowlers who conceded extras at crucial moments.

The home team will be in action again today when they take on Oman. Nepal have two day’s rest before they play Oman on Tuesday.