Cricket Kitchen

Nepal Secure Victory Thanks to Strong Bowling Support

April 26, 2026

Kathmandu – An all-round performance by Dipendra Singh Airee guided Nepal national cricket team to a thrilling win over United Arab Emirates national cricket team in the ICC World Cup League 2 on Saturday.

In the opening match of the tri-nation series that began in Kirtipur, Nepal defeated the visiting UAE by 37 runs, making a positive start. Despite setting a modest target, Nepal managed to secure victory with an excellent bowling performance.

Dipendra Singh Airee starred with an all-round display, scoring 75 runs and taking one wicket. He was also named Player of the Match. With this win, Nepal eased pressure by defeating UAE, who are at the bottom of the eight-team League 2 cycle (2023–2027).

Nepal now have 14 points from 21 matches with 6 wins, just four points ahead of UAE, who have played the same number of matches.

At the Tribhuvan University Cricket Ground, Nepal posted a total of 201 runs.

In response, UAE were bowled out for 163 runs in 48.2 overs. Nepal’s bowlers delivered an outstanding performance, with medium pacer Karan KC emerging as the hero, taking 4 wickets while conceding just 19 runs in 9.2 overs.

Sompal Kami and Sandeep Lamichhane picked up two wickets each, while Lalit Rajbanshi claimed one.

UAE had a poor start, losing two wickets within 2.6 overs. Openers Alishan Sharafu (likely referring to Adhiv/Adil Usmani) scored 1 run and Muhammad Waseem (possibly Sahadab) managed just 2 before returning to the pavilion.

Another opener, Aryansh Sharma, was dismissed for 18, leaving UAE struggling at 39/3 in 9.5 overs. Under pressure, UAE failed to build momentum.

Hameed Singh (Harmit Singh) scored 39, while captain Muhammad Waseem added 34, the highest individual scores for UAE. Akeal Hosein (Akshdeep Nath) scored 30, and Nilansh Keswani contributed 18.

Earlier, Nepal struggled with the bat after losing the toss. Despite a half-century from Dipendra Singh Airee, they were bowled out for 200 runs in 48.2 overs.

The top five batters were dismissed cheaply, leaving Nepal in trouble at 90/5 in 20.3 overs. However, Dipendra stabilized the innings with a crucial knock of 75 runs.

Facing 90 balls, he hit 5 fours and 2 sixes before being dismissed as the last wicket by Junaid Siddique.

He shared a 41-run partnership with Bashir Ahmad for the fifth wicket and a 42-run stand with Karan KC for the eighth wicket, helping Nepal cross the 200-run mark.

 

Bashir scored 20 runs, while Karan made 22. Bashir was dismissed by Haider Ali, and Karan by Aayan Khan.

 

Nepal had a poor start, losing opener Aasif Sheikh for just 7 runs in the second over. The team kept losing wickets, with Bhim Sharki scoring 10, Kushal Bhurtel making 24, and captain Rohit Kumar Paudel dismissed for just 2.

 

By the end of the 11th over, Nepal were struggling at 49/4. Rohit was dismissed on the final ball of the 11th over by Aayan Khan, after which Dipendra came to the crease and guided Nepal to a respectable total with a composed innings.