Himalayan News Service

Kathmandu, May 7:

Sharad Vesawkar and Shakti Prasad Gauchan scored half centuries as Nepal came back strongly against the UAE to end the first day at 246/5 in the ICC Intercontinental Cup and the ACC Fast Track Countries’ Tournament here today.

The match started after the lunch session as play was not possible due to overnight rain. Nepal skipper Binod Das won the toss and elected to bat under overcast conditions.

Das’ decision to bat seemed to backfire after UAE pacers removed opener Paresh Lohani for a duck and Dipendra Chaudhary for 3, making it 19/2.

Vice captain Shakti Gauchan joined opener Kanishka Chaugain and steadied Nepal’s innings. Both shared third-wicket partnership of 65 runs when left arm spinner Rizwan Latif snared Chaugain off his own bowling for 47. Chaugain hit seven boundaries in his 91-ball innings.

Gauchan was then joined by Sharad Vesawkar, and further consolidated the innings with Vesawkar playing shots all round the ground. The pair added 106 runs for the fourth wicket before Usman Salim removed Gau-chan, who got lives on 12 and 20, for a patient 68 off 196 balls which included five hits to the fence.

Mehboob Alam brought some momentum to the innings after Gauchan’s departure. Alam hit a quickfire run-a-ball 34 including six boundaries before being trapped leg before by Zahid Shah. Vesawkar — who added 56 runs for the fifth wicket with Mehboob Alam in just 11 overs — was unbeaten on well-made 73 off 117 balls including six boundaries.

UAE bowlers struggled after initial breakthroughs with pacemen Zahid Shah returning with best figures of 2-45. Ahmed Nadeem, Usman Salim and Rizwan Latif shared a wicket each. Part time bowlers Samir Zia and Arshad Ali came in for hammering from Alam with their four overs costing 25 runs. At the end of the day, Nepal snapped up 4.5 points, while UAE got 2.5. Out of the maximum 36 points from a match, Nepal — who earned 8.5 points in the drawn match against Hong Kong last week — need to beat them by a margin of 22 points, which seems to be far beyond their reach. The UAE, which earned 30 points in beating Hong Kong last month, are most likely to move into the ICC Continental Cup.