United Arab Emirates claimed a six-wicket victory over Nepal in Kirtipur on Monday, courtesy of the Duckworth-Lewis method – but not before Sandeep Lamichhane gave his side every chance with a stunning 3/8 that ripped through the UAE top order.
Nepal posted 104/8 from 17 overs in a match reduced by rain, with the innings never finding the momentum it needed. Dipendra Singh Airee top-scored with an unbeaten 31 from 33 balls, but only Kushal Bhurtel (16 off 9, SR 177.78) offered anything close to a power surge at the top. Kushal Malla got 17 but consumed 21 deliveries, and a procession of low-impact contributions left Nepal well short of what this ground can offer.
Muhammad Zuhaib Zubair was the pick of the UAE attack with 2/15 from 2.1 overs – named Player of the Match for his decisive burst with the new ball. Junaid Siddique supported with 2/18 from three.
When UAE came to bat, the revised target looked well within reach – and Lamichhane made them work for every run. The leg-spinner tore into the top three: Muhammad Waseem caught at mid-off for 33 off 15 (SR 220), Adeeb Usmani lbw for 2, Harpreet Singh Bhatia caught at mid-wicket for 2. Three wickets from two overs, figures of 3/8 at an economy of 4.00 – genuinely outstanding.
But the damage was done too late. Alishan Sharafu steadied with 18 off 15, and Akshdeep Nath finished things with an unbeaten 17 off 8 (SR 212.5). UAE reached their target of 78 with 7 balls to spare.
Statz Rating – Top Performers
Statz Cricket’s match impact model ranked Sandeep Lamichhane as the standout performer despite being on the losing side, earning an 85.0/100 rating – the highest in the match. His wicket-taking at a critical phase of the UAE chase drove the score even in defeat.
Muhammad Waseem‘s aggressive 33 earned a 52.6 rating in a short innings where context mattered. Akshdeep Nath (33.0) and Junaid Siddique (31.1) rounded out the top four on the UAE side.
Full ratings at statz.ai/cricket/fixtures/69745/nepal-vs-united-arab-emirates.
Scorecard Summary
Nepal – 104/8 (17 overs)
- Dipendra Singh Airee: 31* (33b)
- Kushal Bhurtel: 16 (9b, SR 177.78)
- Kushal Malla: 17 (21b)
- Basir Ahamad: 14 (11b)
UAE bowling: Junaid Siddique 2/18, Muhammad Zuhaib Zubair 2/15, Muhammad Arfan 1/20, Haider Ali 1/32
UAE – 78/4 (8.5 overs, D/L method)
- Muhammad Waseem: 33 (15b, SR 220, 3×4 3×6)
- Alishan Sharafu: 18 (15b)
- Akshdeep Nath: 17* (8b)
Nepal bowling: Sandeep Lamichhane 3/8 (2 overs, Econ 4.00), Kushal Malla 1/18
Match played at Tribhuvan University International Cricket Ground, Kirtipur – T20 Internationals
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Figures from the Statz data desk. Odds are subject to change. 18+, BeGambleAware.org