Nepal level series with dominant win over UAE

KIRTIPUR, April 22: Nepal bounced back in style to defeat the United Arab Emirates by eight wickets in the second T20 international, leveling the two-match series 1–1.

After losing the opening game on Monday, Nepal delivered a composed all-round performance on Tuesday at the Tribhuvan University Cricket Stadium, with both bat and ball clicking at the right time.

Opener Kushal Bhurtel led the chase with a fluent unbeaten 84, while leg-spinner Sandeep Lamichhane starred with the ball, picking up three wickets in a tight spell.

Chasing a modest target of 129, Nepal reached 131 for 2 in just 15.5 overs. Bhurtel anchored the innings with authority, striking 12 fours and two sixes in his 57-ball knock. Captain Dipendra Singh Airee supported him with an unbeaten 23 off 17 balls, hitting three boundaries.

The pair stitched together an unbroken 58-run stand for the third wicket, ensuring there were no late hiccups. Earlier, Bhurtel had laid a strong foundation with a 67-run opening partnership alongside Kushal Malla, who made 19 off 17 balls before being dismissed near the boundary.

Young batter Santosh Yadav, making his debut, was stumped for just one, briefly slowing the momentum. However, Nepal remained in control throughout the chase.

For the UAE, Nilansh Keswani and Muhammad Irfan picked up a wicket each, while fast bowler Aayan Khan bowled economically but went wicketless.

Earlier, opting to bat first after losing the toss, the UAE posted 128 for 8 in their allotted 20 overs. The innings was rescued by Akhil Dev Nath, who scored an unbeaten 53, and Muhammad Irfan, who added 32.

The UAE had stumbled early, slipping to 48 for 6 in 7.5 overs. Their captain Muhammad Waseem was dismissed for a duck on the very first ball, trapped lbw by medium pacer Hemant Dhami.

Wickets kept falling at regular intervals, with Alishan Sharafu and Harpreet Singh both departing for just one run. Opener Aryan Lakra tried to steady the innings, but pressure built as Nepal’s bowlers maintained discipline.

Lamichhane turned the screws in the middle overs, removing key batters and conceding just six runs in his four-over spell, including a maiden. He also broke a crucial 64-run seventh-wicket partnership between Nath and Irfan in the 19th over.

Hemant Dhami chipped in with two wickets for 20 runs, while Nandan Yadav and Sahab Alam took one apiece.

Despite a late push that added 15 runs in the final overs, the UAE fell short of a competitive total.

With the series now level, Nepal will shift focus to the upcoming ICC Cricket World Cup League 2 tri-series starting April 25, where they will face Oman and the UAE again.