Nepali batting lineup failed once again as UAE registered a 97-run victory in the three-day ACC Premier League match at the Sharjah Cricket Stadium Monday.
Chasing 205 for victory, Nepal began the third day at 33/2 but found it too difficult to bat against the Emirate attack at its den. The whole team succumbed to 107 runs in 62.1 overs. Earlier in the match, Nepal had scored 155 in the first innings replying to UAE’s 262/7 declared but made a mini-comeback bowling the hosts out for 97 runs in the second innings.
Lanky Ali Ashad once again proved lethal taking 4/41 while Zahid Shah took 2/20 taking a match haul of eight wickets. Arshad Ali took two to avenge the 172-run loss last year in Kathmandu.
For Nepal, Basanta Regmi scored 26 while vice-captain Shakti Gauchan scored 22 runs. From the match, Nepal claimed 13.5 bonus points while UAE got 30.5.
In overall standings of the five-nation event, Singapore is leading with 46.5 points from two matches while Nepal and Malaysia have 45.5 points from two matches. Hong Kong is placed fourth with 44.5 points from three games while UAE has 30.5 from a game.