League Two Cricket: Nepal saved one-day recognition by defeating UAE

KATHMANDU: Nepal won convincingly against the UAE in the ICC World Cup League-2 triangular ODI series.

With a 177-run victory over UAE, Nepal secured the One Day International (ODI) status.

Furthermore, winning the final two matches of the ICC World Cricket League Two has kept the possibility of directly qualifying for the World Cup alive.

With today’s defeat, the UAE has lost ODI recognition, while America has retained ODI recognition.

Chasing Nepal’s target of 249 runs, UAE were bowled out after scoring 71 runs in 22.5 overs.

Lalit Rajbanshi took five wickets on his own to keep UAE at a low score on Nepal’s home ground. Lalit, who bowled 7.5 overs, allowed only 20 runs while keeping two maidens.

Sandeep Lamichhane claimed two wickets. Sandeep allowed 14 runs in four overs. Sompal Kami, Dipendra Singh Airee, and Gulshan Jha each claimed one wicket.

UAE found themselves under pressure after losing four wickets in the sixth over. For UAE, Aayan Afzal Khan scored 29 runs and Ashwant Bantawa scored 14. Karthik Meiyappan chipped in with 11 runs off 15 balls. Other batters were unable to reach double digits.

After winning the toss, Nepal scored 248 runs in 49.2 overs and was bowled out at the TU Cricket Ground in Kirtipur.