Nepal’s march to the final in front of thousands of supporters was not easy as United Arab Emirates did everything right to earn the honors before putting it in disarray in panic at the TU Cricket Ground.
Nepal scored 144/9 in alloted 40 overs after electing to bat first and bowled out UAE for 123 runs in 39 overs to set Thurday’s final with Malaysia, who defeated Qatar by 55 runs at IOE Ground in the other semifinal. 
However, Nepal’s victory, watched by thousands at the ground and broadcasted live by Nepal Television, did not come easy. The match went tense and UAE looked like taking the victory route many times before finally Nepal settled the result with the fighting spirit.
After electing to bat first, Nepal had to see yet another dismal batting performance. Both openers, Sagar Pun and Kriten Gurung were already back at the pavilion when score was 20. Akash Singh Pariyar and captain Prithu Baskota then made up the early loss with the biggest partnership of the innings.
Both hit occasional boundaries and played patiently before Prithu (25 off 41 balls) got out. Pradeep Airee then made a brief stay hitting a straight six and a four for his 13 off 11 deliveries. He too got carried away and gave a catch at long-on boundary in an attempt to clear the rope.
Nischal Chaudhary too did not stay long and Akash edged one to keeper as Nepal struggled to reach 100. Akash scored 31 off 46 but Bibek Dali and Krishna Karki followed him soon making it 99/8 in no time. Rochak Bhatta did not score a run but stayed for 15-run partnership with Bhuwan Karki before giving UAE captain Salaar Waqar his third wicket.
Bhuwan and last man Abinash Karn rescued Nepal and went on to add 30 runs staying till the end as Nepal posted a fighting total. “We are struggling because no one is getting big scores,” Roy Dias, coach of Nepal, said after the match.
Along with Waqar, Siddarth Shekhar took three wickets and Shaaz Ahmed grabbed two for UAE. “We gave away a few extras and the last wicket partnership of 30 runs was crucial,” UAE coach Shah Hussain Afridi Khan commented. UAE gave 26 extras runs including 23 wides.
UAE reply began disastrously as well. After Krishna and Abinash failed to pick wickets, Pradeep Airee, who had not bowled much in the event due to ankle injury, came in seventh over and got the captain for 8. The next over, he grabbed two wickets as UAE went down to 25/3.
Pradeep Airee (5/29)
Then it was UAE’s game with R Abraham and SS Gir. The pair played professionally without taking risks and hitting balls all around the ground at their will for singles. With them batting, UAE were looking for an easy victory.
Prithu tried everything, changing bowlers now and then but to no avail until he decided to get back to one of his openers. Abinash switched the end for a lucky effect. He castles Gir’s stumps ending his 28 runs knock and 58-run partnership and the very next ball trapped Shekhar.
Shaaz Ahmed (11) tried to get back UAE on track along with opener Abraham but he was undone by Prithu. Once wickets start falling from one end and required run-rate started going high, UAE batsmen could barely held the pressure. Waheed Ahmed was out on zero, yet another wicket for Pradeep, and Ritik Bagchi fell to Prithu scoring three.
“Our middle-order collapsed and there was no support for set batsman,” Khan said. The run-out of Abraham, who single-handedly anchored the innings scoring 59 off 105 balls, then ended whatsoever chance remaining for UAE, who still needed 26 runs with two wickets in hand.
Pradeep completed the fine spell with yet another wicket to grab man of the match award and promised to do better in his batting in the finals. “They were winning the game, but the batsmen panicked and Nepali, always the fighter, keep it tight,” Dias said. “I am pleased with the boys for their fight.”
PHOTOS: Udipt Singh Chhetry/NepalSportsPhoto.com