Kathmandu, January 31

Nepal thrashed the United Arab Emirates by 193 runs in their second practice match at the ICC Oval Cricket Ground in Dubai today.

Opting to bat first, Nepal scored 333-5 in their allotted 50 overs and packed the UAE for 140 runs in 40.2 overs.

Nepal reached a mammoth total after opener Gyanendra Malla scored 154 runs off just 131 balls hitting 17 boundaries. Another opener Dilip Nath contributed 64 runs off 79 balls that included six boundaries and two sixes.

Nepal made a flying start as Malla and Nath put 142 runs  for the first wicket before latter was run out in the 24th over.

Malla then added 34 runs with Anil Kumar Sah (14) for second wicket and also shared a 64-run partnership with Dipendra Singh Airee, who scored run-a-ball 34 hitting three fours, for third wicket.

Malla also shared another partnership of 82 runs with Aarif Sheikh for the fourth wicket before being caught by Wasif Ahmed off Laxman Sree Kumar in the 49th over. Sheikh remained unbeaten on 33-ball 41 that included two fours.

UAE’s Wasif Ahmed, Karthik Mayappan and Laxman Sree Kumar took one wicket each.

In reply, UAE were never in contention as they lost wickets at regular intervals after being reduced to 23-2 inside seven overs. The 46-run partnership for the fourth wicket between Mohammad Qassim, who topped scored for UAE with 41 runs off 52 hitting five fours, and Ali Mirza (17) was the highest stand.

Nepal’s Sandeep Lamichhane, who was picked by Delhi Daredevils for Indian Premier League, returned with the figures of 4-36, while skipper Paras Khadka claimed two wickets. Sompal Kami and Shakti Gauchan took one wicket each.

Nepal are preparing for the ICC World Cricket League Division-II to be held in Namibia from February 8-15.