Nepal rout UAE in Kirtipur to finish T20I series in stalemate

Nepal came back strongly after losing the first match to claim the second fixture on April 21 in Kirtipur by eight wickets and 25 balls to spare. Sandeep Lamicchhane was the star with the ball in hand. He registered figures of 3/6 in his four overs at a miserly economy rate of 1.50, including a maiden over.

UAE were jolted on the very first ball of the match as they lost Muhammad Waseem. They just couldn't build any partnerships and were reduced to 48 for the loss of six wickets in 7.5 overs.

Akshdeep Nath continued his rich vein of form and scored a wonderful fifty under pressure. He scored 53 off 42 balls with the help of three fours and four sixes at a strike rate of 126.19. He added 64 runs for the seventh wicket alongside Muhammad Arfan and ensured UAE put a respectable total on the board. Arfan scored 32 off 36 balls with the help of two fours and a six.

Nath and Arfan guided 128 for the loss of eight wickets in 20 overs. Hemant Dhami supported Lamichhane really well, as he bagged 2/20 in four overs at an economy rate of 5.00.

In reply, Nepal got off to a rollicking start as Kushal Malla and Kushal Bhurtel threw caution to the wind. Malla and Bhurtel added 67 runs for the opening wicket before the former and Santosh Yadav within a span of five deliveries.

Unfazed by the wickets tumbling around him, Bhurtel finished on an unbeaten 84 off 57 balls, with the help of 12 fours and two sixes and sealed the game for the hosts with 25 balls to spare. Bhurtel was awarded the Player of the Match (POTM).

The two teams will now square off against one another in an ICC Men's Cricket World Cup League 2 fixture on April 25.