Nepal edge UAE by 6 runs
In a tense finish, UAE needed 15 runs in the final over but failed to complete the chase, finishing at 228/8, handing Nepal a narrow but important victory.
KATHMANDU: The Nepal national cricket team registered a dramatic 6-run victory over the United Arab Emirates national cricket team in a rain-affected ICC Cricket World Cup League 2 match at the Tribhuvan University International Cricket Ground, Kirtipur, on Friday.
Nepal post strong total
Batting first after winning the toss, Nepal posted 289/7 in 50 overs. A brilliant century from Dipendra Singh Airee anchored the innings as he scored 100 runs off 94 balls, hitting 13 fours and a six before being run out on the final delivery.
He shared a crucial 102-run partnership for the sixth wicket with Gulshan Jha, who contributed a quick 44 off 38 balls. Earlier, opener Vinod Bhandari added a solid 56, while captain Rohit Paudel scored 39 runs.
For UAE, Junaid Siddique and Aayan Afzal Khan picked up two wickets each.
Rain interruption and revised target
In response, UAE’s chase was disrupted by rain when they were 36/1 in 4.1 overs. After the interruption, the target was revised to 255 in 38 overs under the DLS method.
UAE fightback falls short
UAE batters showed resistance with Muhammad Shahdad scoring 65, Harprit Singh making 41, and Muhammad Waseem briefly struggling before being dismissed for just 1 by Sompal Kami.
Sandeep Lamichhane led Nepal’s bowling attack with 3 wickets for 36 runs in 8 overs, while Sompal Kami and Nandan Yadav claimed two wickets each, applying consistent pressure on the UAE lineup.
In a tense finish, UAE needed 15 runs in the final over but failed to complete the chase, finishing at 228/8, handing Nepal a narrow but important victory.
League standings
Despite the win, Nepal’s overall campaign in League 2 remains challenging. After 23 matches, Nepal sit seventh in the table with 16 points, just above bottom-placed UAE, who have 12 points.
