File: Sandeep Lamichanne in action. Courtesy: Cricinfo.com
KATHMANDU: Nepal faced 78 runs defeat at the hands of United Arab Emirates during Asia Cup Qualifiers played at the Kinrara Academy Oval in Kuala Lumpur in Malaysia today.
After winning the toss, Nepal invited Oman to bat first and posted a challenging total of 255/9 in the allotted 50 over. However, Nepal were bowled out for meagre 176 runs with seven balls to spare conceding 78 runs defeat to the Gulf nation.
Nepal lost opening batsman Gyanendra Malla cheaply for four runs and at one stage were reeling at 33-2 after losing skipper Paras Khadka for 16 runs.
Subash Khakurel and Dipendra Singh Airee combined for a 58-run partnership for the fourth wicket to reprive the fragile innings before Khakurel fell after scoring 50 runs off 97 balls with two fours and a maximum hit.
Airee scored a measured 40 runs off 64 balls with two fours and lower order batsman Sompal Kami made 27 runs in a losing cause.
Man-of-the-match Ahmed Raza tore apart Nepal’s middle order with his devastating slow-left-arm orthodox bowling with a figure of 10-1-37-4.
Mohammad Naveed scalped three Nepali wickets and Amir Hayat and Ashfaq Ahmed chipped in with two and a wicket each respectively.
Earlier, UAE’s opening batsmen Ashfaq Ahmed and Chirag Suri gave a flying start as they combined for 70 runs opening stand before lower order batsman Adnan Mufti blitz propelled them to post a decent total of 254/9.
Chirag Suri top-scored for the team with 65 runs of 91 balls with seven fours and a maximum before he was run out by Dipendra Singh Airee in the 38 overs.
Nepali star spinner Sandeep Lamichanne was pick-of-the-bowler with 10-2-24-4. Sompal Kami and spin-bowler Basanta Regmi bagged two wickets each respectively.
Earlier, Nepal had lost to Oman by seven wickets.
After, today’s game, Nepal and Singapore share the bottom two spots in the six-team qualifiers tournament.
Courtesy: Cricinfo.com
Nepal will take on the hosts Malaysia at the same venue on September 01.
Courtesy: Cricinfo.com
Courtesy: Cricinfo.com
Courtesy: Cricinfo.com
Courtesy: Cricinfo.com
Written by Mausam
This news first appeared on https://thehimalayantimes.com/sports/nepal-lose-to-uae-by-78-runs-in-asia-cup-qualifiers/ under the title “Nepal lose to UAE by 78 runs in Asia Cup Qualifiers”. Bolchha Nepal is not responsible or affiliated towards the opinion expressed in this news article.
