UAE succumb to hosts Nepal

Hosts Nepal came up with a scintillating performance to provide a sensational six-wicket victory over UAE much to the delight of the vociferous crowd that filled the stadium to enter the final of the Asian Cricket Council Twenty20 Cup on Tuesday.

Chasing a challenging 134 to win, it was a thrilling finish that saw Nepal pull the strings when it mattered during the final overs as they got past the target in the final over.

Needing 24 runs from 18 balls, UAE spinner Fayyaz Ahmed removed well settled batsman Pradeep Airee, who had scored a gritty half century, and then followed it up with another wicket the very next ball to end Basanta Regmi for a naught.

But Binod Bhandari smashed two sixes off Arshad Ali in the following over to end any doubts of a UAE fightback.

They now take on Afghanistan who ousted Hong Kong by seven wickets in the other semifinals.

The foundation for Nepal was set when openers Subash Khakurel and Airee gave a rousing start to put on a strong 61 runs in just nine overs. Airee continued to impress who was joined by Gyanendra Malla, who smashed a quick 18-ball 20.

Airee stood firm as he took Nepal well past the three-digit mark scoring a superb 58 from 57 deliveries consisting of five boundaries and two sixes. But his fall had given a slim hope for UAE before Bhandari wrapped it up in style.

Earlier in the day, winning the toss and opting to bat first, Nepal spinner Prithu Baskota made early inroads accounting for two quick wickets of Bakhtiyar Hamid Palekar (5) and Amjad Ali (1).

Abdul Shakoor, who played a sensational innings in the previous match against Bahrain, and Swapnil Patil began the revival act but were unable to score freely as Nepal bowlers kept up the pressure.

Shakoor could hardly open up and took 27 balls to score 18 with the help of two boundaries before he succumbed. But it was the 29-run stand from Swapnil and Rohan Mustafa for the fourth wicket that saw a slight rise in the scoring rate.

And when it looked the two were looking good, Baskota struck again to claim his third victim ending Mustafat on 16 that came of 15 balls.

Swapnil too did not last but made a hard earned 37 from 33 deliveries including four fours.

Thanks to a brief cameo from Mohammad Azam who smashed an unbeaten 24 and was supported by Amjad Javed (12) that ensured UAE managed to achieve 133 for nine in 20 overs.

Despite the exit, UAE still qualify for the global qualifiers as host nation.

Brief scores:

Nepal beat UAE by six wickets

UAE 133 for 9 in 20 overs (Abdul Shakoor 18, Swapnil Patil 37, Rohan Mustafa 16, Mohammad Azam 23 not out; Prithu Baskota 3 for 20, Basanta Regmi 2 for 24, Shakti Gauchan 2 for 20). Nepal 134 for 4 in 19.1 overs (Subash Khakurel 22, Pradeep Airee 58, Gyanendra Malla 20, Binod Bhandari 16 not out; Ahmed Raza 2 for 15, Fayyaz Ahmed 2 for 30).

 

Follow Emirates 24|7 on Google News.