Nepal suffered another defeat in its second and final warm up match of the ICC World T20 at the Fatullah Stadium, in Fatullah, Dhaka. UAE defeated Nepal by 6 wickets, chasing a target of 96.
Defending a smallish target, Nepali bowlers began well, as Amjad Ali was trapped leg before in the very first over off Paras Khadka. UAE lost its second wicket with score at 14 runs and third at 34. But for UAE, the overhaul of the target was always going to be one good partnership away. And that partnership came in when Swapnil Patil (40) came in after the fall of Khurram Khan (15). He forged a 48-run partnership for the 4th wicket in 8.4 overs with Shaiman Anwar (30*) and took UAE to safety.
For Nepal, Paras Khadka, Sompal Kami, Shakti Gauchan and Basanta Regmi took one wicket each.
Nepal captain Paras Khadka talks to the press after match against UAE, on 14 March 2014.
Photo: Binod Pandey
Earlier, Nepali batting failed yet again as it posted a modest target of 96 runs, against the UAE bowling attack.
Nepali team lost wickets at regular intervals after put in to bat first. Opener Subash Khakurel (28), skipper Paras Khadka (27) and Basanta Regmi (10) were the only batsmen to reach double digit scores for Nepal.
Sharif Asadullah claimed three wickets, the highest for his team, giving away 15 runs in his 4 overs. He followed by Kamran Shazad, who took two wickets.
Nepal is scheduled kick starts its World T20 campaign playing against Hong Kong on Sunday. This is the first time Nepal is playing in a tournament at this level.
Nepal is pitted with Hong Kong, Bangladesh and Afghanistan in group A of the qualifiers while group B consists of Ireland, Zimbabwe, UAE and the Netherlands. Top two teams from either group after the round robin league will make to next round of the event.