Kathmandu – The Nepalese Cricket Team started the T20I triangular series with a comfortable win over UAE on Wednesday at Mulpani cricket ground.
Nepal registered a seven-wicket win over UAE in the venue’s first-ever T20I match.
Chasing 141 runs, Nepal reached the target in 18.5 overs losing just three wickets. Skipper Rohit Paudel was the star, scoring his fourth T20I fifty. He also scored the winning run and completed his half-century, finishing unbeaten on 51 runs off 40 balls.
Dipendra Singh Airee also played a vital role with a 23-ball 34 runs. Openers couldn’t do any special for Nepal as Bhurtel was dismissed for run a ball 14 while Sheikh walked back for a sluggish 27-ball 23 runs. Kushal Malla was run out after scoring 11 runs.
Earlier, UAE managed to post 140/7 after being invited to bat first. They were 52/4 in the ninth over. Ali Naseer and Basil Hameed shared 56 runs stand for the fifth wicket to guide the visiting team towards a respectful total.
Naseer scored 32 runs from 30 balls whereas Hameed completed his maiden T20I half-century. He scored 51 runs from 38 balls with the help of four biggies.
For Nepal, Karan KC picked up three wickets (4-0-19-3). Gulshan Jha picked up two wickets whereas Abinash Bohara and Sompal Kami pocketed one wicket each.
This was the first-ever T20I match between Nepal and UAE on Nepalese soil. Moreover, Wednesday’s battle was the sixth match between the two nations.
Here’s what Rohit Paudel and Shyam Dhakal said after the match.
