In the last match of ICC CWC League 2, Nepal registered a dramatic victory over UAE by 9 runs (DLS Method). The dramatic match was played on 16 march at TU Cricket Ground, Kirtipur. UAE won the toss and decided to bat. The UAE sets a target of 311 and in answer, Nepal made 269 runs and won the match by 9 runs using the DLS method. The match was very important for both teams. Nepal was playing to reach ICC World Cup Qualifier directly. UAE also needs a big margin victory over Nepal to retain their ODI status. Asif Khan’s brilliant inning made him the player of the match but he can’t make his team retain their ODI status. With this Dramatic victory over UAE, Nepal reaches ICC World Cup Qualifiers.
First Inning
Aryan Lakra and captain Muhammad Waseem opened the inning for UAE. Captain Waseem was looking in an attacking mood from the beginning of the game. In the 3rd over of the inning, Lalit Rajbanshi gave the first breakthrough for Nepal. Aryan Lakra was out after making 6 runs when the team score was 19. Then youngster Vriitya Aravind came on the crease to support his captain. Captain Waseen showed his aggressive batting and scored a half-century for the team. On another side, V. Aravind was playing safely and scoring runs. Captain Waseem got out (lbw) by Sandeep Lamichhane after making 63 runs when the team score was 98 runs. Then CP Rizwan and Aryan Afjal Khan went for single-digit scores. Rohan Mustafa tried to score runs but got out after scoring 20 runs when the team score was 175 at 37.3 overs. DS Airee took 2 wickets for Nepal. V. Aravind held an end and scored runs with ease.
After Rohan Mustafa departs Asif Khan came to the crease. He seems like he was already settled in the dressing room. He started to strike the balls from the beginning of his inning. When he was hitting balls out of the boundaries, Nepali bowlers were clueless. Asif khan scored a brilliant 41-ball century. He scored 101 not out. On another end, V. Aravinda got caught out at the score of 94 runs in the last ball of the inning. UAE set a huge total of 310 runs on the board. For Nepal, DS Airee took 2 wickets; and Sandeep, Lalit, and Sompal got 1-1 wickets each.
UAE with a good start against Nepal
Asif Khan’s Record Century as UAE Scores 310 Against Nepal
Second Inning
For Nepal, Aasif Sheikh and Kushal Bhurtel opened the inning. At the first over Aryan Afjal Khan sent Aasif back to the pavilion. The Kushal Malla came into the crease as a new batsman and goes back to the pavilion very quickly. Rohit Paudel walks in and started to build the partnership with Kushal Bhurtel. Bhurtel was looking fine with the bat. Rohit Paudel also got out after scoring 16 runs. At that moment, the team score was 37/3 at 6.5 overs. However, wickets are falling the batters did not let the run rate decrease. The Bhim Sharki comes in and made a 61 runs partnership with Kushal Bhurtel. Kushal Bhurtel scored a beautiful half-century and departs in the team score of 98 runs. New batter Aarif Sheikh made a beautiful partnership of 83 runs with Bhim Sharki. Bhim Sharki scored the highest run (67 runs) for Nepal and departs at a team score of 181 runs.
The all-rounder Gulshan Jha comes to the crease and pushed Nepal toward victory. Aarif Sheikh scored a half-century and also departs while Nepal was at 225 runs in the 40th over. DS Airee walks into the field and helped Gulshan Jha to secure the team’s win. Gulshan Jha made an unbeaten 50 and DS Airee scored 10 runs (not out). After the 44th over, umpires stopped the match due to rain. Thus Nepal registered a dramatic victory over UAE with 9 runs by the DLS method.
