Nepal wraps up the penultimate series of CWC League 2 with a brilliant turnaround victory against UAE at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium. UAE fell 42 runs short while chasing a target of 230 runs.
Nepal now needs four wins from four matches in the last Tri-Series on home soil against UAE and PNG itself to grab a direct spot in the World Cup Qualifiers in Zimbabwe. Meanwhile, they need just a couple of victories to go past the USA in the table and secure their ODI status. Rohit Paudel’s side now has ascended to fifth position with 32 points from 32 matches.
Despite being in a comfortable position of 122/2 at one stage, UAE were eventually bowled out for 187 in the 45th over. Dipendra Singh Airee and Sompal Kami were the culprits for UAE taking continuous quick wickets. Both grabbed three wickets each. Aarif Sheikh and Karan Kc picked up one each. Sandeep Lamcihhane wrapped up things in 45th over dismissing Zahoor Khan.
Asif Khan and Aryan Lakra were the only two batters to trouble the Nepalese bowlers. Asif compiled 82 runs, whereas Aryan made 50 runs. Vriitya Aravind scoring 13 runs, was the only third UAE batter to cross a double-digit score.
Earlier, Nepal managed to post 229/8 in the allotted 50 overs. Despite a shaky start, Bhim Sharki‘s anchoring inning helped the visitors post a decent score after opting to bat first.
Nepal lost its opener Aasif Sheikh early, following a terrific catch from Aayan Khan for 6(14). Gyanendra Malla opened the innings today in the absence of regular opener Kushal Bhurtel, who was left out due to injury. Malla was yet again trapped LBW for 11(26) in the ninth over as the visitors were two down within the powerplay.
Three overs later, Skipper Rohit (1) walked back cheaply, followed by Kushal Malla, who scored a run a ball 32. The situation got worsen when Dipendra Singh Airee (4) was also dismissed without doing any special, and Nepal were down to 68/5 in the 18th over.
Sandeep Lamichhane was sent at number six, who then contributed 27 runs and added 56 runs with Bhim Sharki for the sixth wicket. Bhim completed his maiden ODI fifty and shared another 56 runs for the seventh wicket with Aarif Sheikh. Bhim scored 70 runs, striking seven fours before being dismissed by Rohan Mustafa in the 45th over.
Karan KC and Pratish GC played a quick cameo of 11-ball 17 and six-ball 11 respectively, at the end. Meanwhile, Aarif Sheikh closed the inning with a six in the final ball and remained unbeaten for 43 runs.
Junaid Siddique was the pick of a bowler for UAE grabbing three wickets. Aryan Lakra and Rohan Mustafa pocketed two wickets each, while Karthik Meiyappan grabbed one.
