Kirtipur, April 26: Inspired by an outstanding bowling performance, Nepal secured a win over the United Arab Emirates (UAE) in the ICC World Cup League 2 tri-series.
In the opening match of the tri-series, which began Saturday at Kirtipur, Nepal defeated the visiting UAE by 37 runs in an exciting contest. After suffering four consecutive losses, Nepal finally returned to winning ways. Dipendra Singh Airee’s all-round brilliance, backed by a disciplined bowling effort, proved decisive. Despite setting a modest target, Nepal managed to pull off the win thanks to strong support from its bowlers.
Vice-captain Dipendra led from the front with an all-round display. He scored 75 runs and also picked up a wicket, earning the Player of the Match award. In the ongoing eight-team League 2 cycle (2023–2027), Nepal defeated bottom-placed UAE.
With pressure mounting to keep their World Cup qualification hopes alive, Nepal desperately needed this win. The victory offers some relief, though the team remains in seventh place. Nepal now have 14 points from 21 matches, just four points ahead of UAE, who sit at the bottom with 10 points and have now suffered their 16th defeat. Oman are the third team in the series, and they will face UAE on Monday.
Batting first at the TU Cricket Ground, Nepal put up a below-par total of 201 runs. In reply, UAE were bowled out for 163 in 48.2 overs. Nepal’s bowlers delivered a standout performance to seal the win.
Lamichhane concedes 2nd most expensive bowling spell in T10 cri...
Medium pacer Karan KC was exceptional, taking four wickets for just 19 runs in 9.2 overs. Sompal Kami and Sandeep Lamichhane took two wickets each, while Lalit Rajbanshi claimed one.
UAE had a poor start, losing two wickets in just 2.6 overs. Opener Alishan Sharafu was dismissed for 1, and Muhammad Shahzad managed only 2 runs. Another opener, Aryansh Sharma, scored 18 before getting out. By 9.5 overs, UAE were struggling at 39 for 3. Under pressure, they failed to build momentum.
Vriitya Aravind scored 39, and captain Muhammad Waseem added 34, the highest individual scores for UAE. Asif Khan contributed 30 runs, while Basil Hameed added 18. However, none could anchor the chase.
Earlier, Nepal’s batting failed to impress despite Airee’s half-century. The team was bowled out for 200 in 48.2 overs. The top five batters fell cheaply, leaving Nepal in trouble at 90 for 5 in 20.3 overs. Airee then stabilized the innings with a composed 75-run knock off 90 balls, hitting five fours and two sixes. He was dismissed as the final wicket by Junaid Siddique.
Airee built a 41-run partnership for the fifth wicket with Basir Ahmad and a 42-run stand for the eighth wicket with Karan KC. These partnerships helped Nepal cross the 200-run mark. Basir scored 20, while Karan made 22 off 37 balls, including one four and one six. Basir hit three fours in his 40-ball innings.
Nepal had a shaky start, losing opener Aasif Sheikh for just 7 runs in the second over. The team never fully recovered and kept losing wickets at regular intervals. Bhim Sharki scored 10, Kushal Bhurtel made 24, and captain Rohit Kumar Paudel managed only 2. By the 11th over, Nepal were reeling at 49 for 4.
Ajay Kumar dismissed captain Rohit on the final ball of the 11th over. Airee then walked in and steadied the innings with disciplined batting, guiding Nepal to a respectable total.
For UAE, Ajay Kumar took three wickets for 34 runs in 9 overs, including a maiden. Junaid Siddique also claimed three wickets, conceding 33 runs in 9.2 overs with three maidens. Zahoor Khan picked up two wickets.
We can’t take Oman lightly:Rohit
Speaking at the post-match press conference, Nepal captain Rohit Paudel said Oman should not be underestimated. He emphasized that Oman are a strong team and must be taken seriously. He also expressed confidence that Nepal could win even while defending a low total.
Rohit credited the team’s character and confidence for the win against UAE. He admitted the batting performance fell short of expectations but praised the bowlers, calling Sompal Kami’s spell the turning point of the match.
According to him, Sompal’s two crucial wickets broke the strong partnership between Waseem and Asif Khan, shifting the momentum in Nepal’s favor. Rohit also highlighted the contributions of senior players, noting their importance over the past few years.
UAE captain Muhammad Waseem blamed poor batting for the defeat. He admitted that chasing 201 proved difficult due to their batting shortcomings. While he and Asif Khan had built a promising partnership, losing wickets at key moments changed the course of the match.
Waseem praised Nepal’s bowling and fielding. With both teams in similar positions in the League 2 standings, he noted that upcoming matches are crucial. Despite the loss, he said UAE would focus on positives and aim for a strong comeback in the next games.
