Sharki and Malla Star as Nepal Post Competitive 239/9 Against UAE in CWC League 2 Clash

Kathmandu – A resilient and collective batting effort, spearheaded by crucial knocks from Bhim Sharki and a late blitz from Kushal Malla, saw Nepal post a competitive total of 239 for 9 in their 50 overs against the United Arab Emirates in a pivotal ICC Cricket World Cup League 2 fixture.

After being put in to bat by the UAE, Nepal’s innings was a tale of promising partnerships punctuated by untimely wickets, ultimately setting the hosts a challenging target of 240 for victory.

Nepal’s innings got off to a rocky start as opener Kushal Bhurtel (2) was dismissed in the fourth over, caught by wicketkeeper Aryansh Sharma off the bowling of Zahid Ali, leaving the team at a precarious 4/1. However, Aasif Sheikh (Wk) and Bhim Sharki weathered the early pressure and began the rebuilding process. The pair stitched together a vital 74-run partnership for the second wicket, laying a solid foundation. Sheikh played a steady hand, scoring 34 off 48 balls with four boundaries before his innings was cut short by a sharp piece of fielding from Dhruv Parashar, resulting in a run-out.

At 78/2, Nepal looked to build on the platform, but a mini-collapse saw them lose two quick wickets. Captain Rohit Paudel (2) fell shortly after, followed by the well-set Bhim Sharki, who was agonizingly dismissed just two runs short of a half-century. Sharki’s impressive knock of 48 from 68 deliveries, which included seven boundaries, was the anchor of the early and middle overs. Both wickets fell to catches off the bowling of Dhruv Parashar, who was having a significant impact in the field.

With the score at 94/4, the responsibility fell on the experienced shoulders of Dipendra Singh Airee and Aarif Sheikh. The duo once again steadied the ship with a patient 49-run stand. Just as they seemed poised to accelerate, another run-out, this time involving Muhammad Waseem, sent the dangerous Airee back for 37. Aarif Sheikh (30) followed soon after, and when Karan KC was dismissed for a golden duck, Nepal had slumped from a promising position to 187/7.

It was then that Kushal Malla came to the fore, playing a blistering counter-attacking innings. Malla smashed 45 runs from just 51 balls, a crucial knock that included three massive sixes and one four. His aggression injected much-needed momentum into the innings and propelled Nepal past the 220-run mark.

Despite Malla’s dismissal with the score at 235, the tail wagged effectively. Sandeep Lamichhane provided a brilliant late cameo, scoring a quickfire 15 not out from just 10 balls, while Lalit Rajbanshi hit a boundary off the only ball he faced. Their small but significant contributions pushed the final total to 239.

For the UAE, the bowlers were disciplined for large parts but were let down by giving away 21 extras, including 16 wides. Junaid Siddique and Muhammad Jawad Ullah were the pick of the bowlers, claiming two wickets apiece. However, it was their fielding, particularly the two run-outs and key catches, that kept Nepal’s scoring in check.

With a target of 240, the match is evenly poised. The UAE will back their batting lineup to chase it down, but Nepal’s bowlers will feel they have a very defendable score on the board if they can strike early and maintain pressure. The second innings promises to be a thrilling contest.