Nepal Clinch Crucial One-Run Win Over UAE
In one of the most nerve-wracking encounters of the ICC Men’s T20 Asia and East Asia-Pacific Qualifiers Super Six stage, Nepal held their composure to defeat the United Arab Emirates (UAE) by just one run, sealing a crucial victory at the Oman Cricket Academy Ground on Sunday.
With this thrilling win, Nepal added two valuable points, taking their tally to four in the Super Six standings — keeping their hopes alive for qualification. The victory was built on Asif Sheikh’s half-century and Dipendra Singh Airee’s exceptional all-round performance, including a match-winning final over.
**Nepal’s Innings: Asif Anchors the Total**
After winning the toss, Nepal captain Rohit Paudel opted to bat first on a balanced surface. Openers Kushal Bhurtel and Asif Sheikh gave Nepal a solid foundation, adding 45 runs in the powerplay.
The pair’s stand extended to 56 runs before Bhurtel was trapped leg-before by Harshit Kaushik after scoring 28 off 26 balls, including two fours and two sixes. Skipper Rohit then joined Asif, and together they contributed another 39-run partnership.
Rohit fell for 20 runs, caught by Mohammad Farooq off Mohammad Rohid, leaving Asif to anchor the innings. The wicketkeeper-batter reached his half-century off 45 balls, striking four boundaries and one six, before being bowled by Dhruv Parashar for 51 off 47 balls.
Despite a few middle-order stumbles, Nepal managed to post a competitive 140/6 in 20 overs. Gulshan Jha (14 off 5) provided late fireworks with two fours and a six, while Sandeep Jora (4)* and Sompal Kami (6)* remained unbeaten.
For the UAE, the bowling was well-shared — six different bowlers picked up a wicket each, including Siddiqui, Rohid, Zahid Ali, Haider Ali, Kaushik, and Parashar.
**UAE’s Chase: Airee Shines Under Pressure**
Chasing 141 for victory, the UAE’s innings began cautiously. Lalit Rajbanshi bowled a maiden first over, setting the tone. In the next, Sompal Kami removed Muhammad Waseem (1), brilliantly caught by Bhurtel, leaving UAE at 1/1.
However, Alishan Sharafu counterattacked, surviving an early dropped catch and then smashing boundaries to shift momentum. Sharafu’s half-century — 50 off 34 balls with three fours and five sixes — stabilised the innings alongside Jonathan Figy, as the duo stitched an 81-run stand for the second wicket.
Figy departed for 19, caught off Airee, before Airee also bowled Sharafu for 58 (40), swinging the momentum back in Nepal’s favour. The middle order crumbled quickly — Harshit Kaushik (2) and Rahul Chopra (7) fell cheaply, the latter run out by Airee’s sharp fielding.
By the 16th over, the UAE were 96/6, still needing 45 runs from 26 balls. They fought back with a 15-run 17th over and 12 runs off the 19th, setting up a heart-stopping finale.
**Final Over Drama: Airee Holds His Nerve**
With 10 runs needed off the final over, skipper Rohit Paudel entrusted the ball to Dipendra Singh Airee. The equation came down to 3 runs required off three balls after Dhruv Parashar struck a six on the third delivery.
But Airee had the final say — Parashar (32) was caught by Sandeep Jora, Haider Ali was run out on the next ball, and Zahid Ali’s desperate attempt for a second run ended in another run-out. The UAE were bowled out for 139, falling just one run short of Nepal’s total.
Airee was magnificent, taking three wickets for 22 runs in 4 overs, while Sandeep Lamichhane, Gulshan Jha, and Sompal Kami each chipped in with a wicket. Nepal also executed three run-outs, underlining their fielding brilliance under pressure.
**Points Table and What’s Next**
With this victory, Nepal and Oman both have four points, while the UAE and Qatar have two points each. Earlier in the day, Oman defeated Qatar by 34 runs to strengthen their position in the standings.
Nepal will now face Qatar tomorrow, a match that could prove decisive in determining qualification for the next round.
