Nepal has levelled the series against the United Arab Emirates (UAE) after an interesting three-wicket win in the second match. The home side completed the target of 192 in 47.5 overs losing seven wickets.
Nepal lost both openers, Arjun Saud (0) and Aasif Sheikh (6) cheaply. Rohit Paudel and Gyanendra Malla too walked back swiftly as Nepal were down to 54/4 in the 18th over.
The chasing side were in deep trouble after losing Kushal Bhurtel for 35 runs with 86 more runs needed. Gulshan Jha and Aarif Sheikh then shared a match-winning 62 runs for the seventh wicket. Gulshan top scored with 35 runs while Aarif Sheikh finished things in style and remained unbeaten for 33 runs. Sompal Kami also contributed 16 runs.
Rohan Mustafa was a pick of a bowler for UAE grabbing three wickets. Hazrat Bilal also took a couple of wickets.
Earlier, Opting to bat first, UAE were bundled out for 191. Despite UAE’s electrifying start (70/0 after 10 overs), Nepalese bowlers pulled off well to restrict the visiting side to an average total in 43.2 overs.
Muhammad Waseem scored a quick half-century while his opening partner Vriitya Aravind added 25 runs. The duo added 72 runs for the first wicket. Meanwhile, UAE could add only 119 runs for the next nine wickets.
Alishan Sharafu scored 35 runs in the middle while Basil Hameed contributed 24. Sompal Kami and Lalit Rajbanshi picked up three wickets each for Nepal. The other four used bowlers also took one scalp each.
The visiting side were victorious by 84 runs in the first match. The decisive clash will be played on Friday.
