UAE stopped the three-match winning run of Nepal with a 68-run victory, during the semi-final clash on Monday at Al Amerat.
Sandeep Lamichhane, who led the Nepal Men’s team with all three wins during the group stage, however, failed to win the crucial semi-final match, which would have secured the spot in the 2022 T20 World Cup in Australia in October.
“It was one of those days where nothing worked for us”, Sandeep said during the press conference.
“We were totally outplayed by UAE. They played better than us in all departments of the game. Despite not making to the World Cup, I am proud of my boys. They showed great character during the Qualifiers,” he added.
Sandeep also apologized to the Nepali cricket fans for not qualifying to the next level. The last time Nepal qualified for the World Cup was in 2014 Bangladesh.
“I am sorry to Nepal cricket fans that we couldn’t qualify. UAE kept us under pressure from the start and never let us make a comeback. All credit to them,” Lamichhane further added.
UAE exhibited a clinical all-round performance to reach the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup for the second time. Opting to bat first, UAE posted a taunting total of 175/7, thanks to UAE’s 19-year-old, Vriitya Aravind, who hammered 46 off 23 and opener Muhammad Waseem, who top-scored with 70 off 48 deliveries. The Emiratis hit nine sixes and 12 fours in the total.
During the chase, UAE’s quicks, were in top gear, removing the top-three Nepal batters in his three-over spell. Nepal were 3-2 in six balls and the chase looked a tall order. UAE skipper Ahmed Raza’s double-strike in the 13th over extinguished whatever hopes Nepal had as they were down to 83-6.
Raza’s golden arm found him more success to wrap up Nepal innings for 107 and his five-wicket haul earned him the player of the match award. The experienced duo of Dipendra Singh Airee (38) and Gyanendra Malla were the only batters to reach double digits.
