Kathmandu, January 30

Nepal defeated the United Arab Emirates ‘A’ by 25 runs in a practice match at the ICC Oval Cricket Ground in Dubai today.

Opting to bat first, Nepal were bowled out for 246 runs in 49.3 overs but restricted UAE to 221 runs in 48.4 overs.

Nepal’s skipper Paras Khadka returned with the figures of 5-36 to restrict the home team, while Dipendra Singh Airee claimed 3-38.

UAE made brilliant start with the bat as openers Fahad Nawaz, who scored 36 runs off 43 hitting five boundaries, and Chirag Suri, who contributed 45 runs off 50 with the help of seven fours, put 87 runs for the first wicket before Dipendra Singh Airee bowled former in the 17th over.

The UAE were reduced to 111-5 inside 23rd over but Neil Lobo, who top scored with 59 runs off 90 balls hitting four boundaries, tried to revive the innings. He shared 33 runs with Ansh Tandon (17) for the sixth wicket and also added 31 runs for the eighth wicket with Wasi Shah. But Lobo failed to take his side home after Nepal’s skipper bowled him as the last wicket in the 49th over.

Earlier, Nepal made a mediocre start after openers Gyanendra Malla (18 runs) and Dilip Nath, who top scored with 60-ball 61 hitting nine boundaries and a six, put 36 runs for the first wicket before the former was caught behind by Wasi Sah off Bilal Chhema in the eighth over.

Nath shared a 60-run partnership with Anil Kumar Sah (31) for the second wicket before the opener was caught by Chirag Suri in the 21st over bowled by Mohammad Qassim.

Nepal were reduced to 136-6 inside 32 overs but Rohit Kumar Paudel and Basant Regmi shared a 45-run partnership for the seventh wicket to guide Nepal towards a fighting total. Paudel scored 43 runs off 51 balls that included six boundaries, while Regmi added 21 runs off 38 hitting two fours.

Paudel also added a 55-run stand for the ninth wicket with Karan KC, who scored a quick fire 16-ball 35 cracking four boundaries and two sixes. Skipper Khadka contributed 20 runs off 28 that included two fours.

Laxman Srikumar claimed 3-18, while Mohammad Qasim (2-36) and Karthik Mayappan (2-34) shared four wickets between them for UAE.

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