Kathmandu, February 15
Skipper Paras Khadka scored his maiden century of the ICC World Cricket League Division II, but even he could not stop the UAE from winning the final of the tournament being played in Namibia.
Having won the toss the UAE chose to bat first–that has been their winning strategy in the tournament. With Nepali bowlers failing to stem the flow of runs and to take wickets, the UAE made 277 for the loss of four wickets in its 50 overs. Ashfaq Ahmed punished the Nepali bowlers for his 114. He hit three sixes and 10 fours before getting out caught by Karan KC off Sandeep. But the damage had already been done.
If Nepal had successfully chased down the total, it would have been their highest-ever run chase. Their best successful run chase (240) was against Namibia in Kathmandu in 2016. With wickets tumbling around him, skipper Khadka kept his calm and stayed at the crease for 164 minutes. But with 20 runs needed in the last three balls, Nepal could only manage 13 and the UAE won by 7 runs.
Leggie Sandeep Lamichhane was named Player of the Tournament.
With the loss, Nepal find themselves in Group B of the World Cup Qualifiers, set to begin in Zimbabwe next month. They are placed alongside Afghanistan, Zimbabwe, Scotland, Hong Kong and Scotland. Only three teams from the group qualify for the ‘super sixes’.
