Nepal set 201-run target for UAE

A half-century from Dipendra Singh Airee helped Nepal set a target of 201 runs against the UAE in the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup League 2 at the Tribhuvan University International Cricket Ground on Saturday. Given a lifeline on 63, Airee scored 75 off 90 balls, hitting five fours and two sixes. He was the last batter to be dismissed. It was his sixth half-century. Nepal made eight runs in the first over but struggled thereafter. In the second over, Khuzaima Tanveer bowled Aasif Sheikh for 7. Bhim Sharki made 10 off 16 balls with two fours, while opener Kushal Bhurtel scored 24 off 25 balls, including four boundaries. After captain Rohit Paudel was trapped Leg Before Wicket (LBW) for 2, Nepal were reduced to 49-4. Airee and Basir Ahamad added 41 runs for the fifth wicket to stabilise the innings. Ahamad was dismissed LBW for 20, having faced 47 balls and hit three fours. Aarif Sheikh and Sompal Kami both scored 15. Airee and Karan KC hit 42 runs for the eighth wicket. KC scored 22 off 37 balls, with one four and one six. Sandeep Lamichhane was out for 2. For the UAE, Junaid Siddique and Aayan Khan took three wickets each. Siddique conceded 33 runs in 9.2 overs, including three maidens, while Khan conceded 34 runs in 9 overs with one maiden. Tanveer took two wickets.