Nepal crush UAE by eight wickets to draw T20I Series 1–1 – The Himalayan Times – Nepal’s No.1 English Daily Newspaper

KATHMANDU, APRIL 21

Opener Kushal Bhurtel’s unbeaten half-century powered Nepal to a comprehensive eight-wicket victory over the UAE on Tuesday, leveling the two-match T20I series 1–1.

Chasing a modest target of 129, Nepal cruised to victory with eight wickets in hand and 25 balls to spare under lights at the TU Cricket Stadium.

With this result, the series ended in a 1–1 draw, after the UAE had taken the lead with a six-wicket win in Monday’s opening match.

Bhurtel delivered a standout performance, remaining unbeaten on a fluent 84 off 57 deliveries, an innings studded with 12 boundaries and two sixes. Captain Dipendra Singh Airee provided solid support, finishing unbeaten on 23 from 17 balls. Kushal Malla contributed a brisk 19, including a four and two sixes.

For the UAE, Mohammad Arfan and Nilansh Keswani claimed one wicket each.

Earlier, after being put in to bat, the UAE posted 128 for 8 in their allotted 20 overs, with Akshdeep Nath anchoring the innings with a composed half-century.

At one stage, the visitors were reeling at 48 for 6, but a crucial seventh-wicket partnership between Nath and Mohammad Arfan revived the innings. The pair added 64 runs, with Nath remaining unbeaten on 53, while Arfan contributed 32.

For Nepal, Sandeep Lamichhane was the pick of the bowlers with three wickets, while Hemant Dhami took two. Nandan Yadav and Shahab Alam chipped in with one wicket apiece, helping restrict the UAE to a below-par total.