Nepal's batting woes were exposed again as they succumbed to a second consecutive defeat against hosts United Arab Emirates (UAE) after losing by 99 runs in the UAE Triangular Series of the ICC Cricket World Cup League Two at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium on Monday.

Nepal were bowled out for a paltry total of 103 runs in 35.1 overs with only four players managing to reach double digit figures after the UAE, put into bat first, posted 202-9 in the one-day International match.

It was the lowest ever total scored by Nepal in a one-day match. Nepal’s previous lowest total, which also came against the UAE, was 113 in January 2019.

Nepal had lost to the same opponents by 48 runs on Friday after they were bowled out for 120 runs in their 169-run target chase in the double header format event. In the opener, Nepal had pulled off a hard fought two-wicket win over Papua New Guinea (PNG), the other team of the Series.

Nepal and PNG are set to face each other in the last match of the Series on Tuesday.

Former captain Gyanendra Malla contributed 30 runs, the highest of Nepal's innings, facing 65 deliveries. He hit two fences. Aarif Sheikh and Sompal Kami contributed equal 15 runs each while Binod Bhandari was the other batsman to score in double digit contributing 12 runs before he was run out.

Instead of Aasif Sheikh, dropped from the starting lineup, Nepal sent Pawan Sarraf to start the innings along with Kushal Bhurtel. But the change could not make any impact as Nepal lost openers Sarraf for two runs and Bhurtel for five runs, followed by fourth number batter Dipendra Singh Airee out for a duck with 3-8 on board.

Middle order batter Rohit Paudel, the highest scorer for Nepal in the last two games having smashed 60 against PNG and 46 against the UAE, departed for nine runs. Karan KC (4) and Bikram Sob (1) were also out cheaply. Lamichhane remained unbeaten but without facing a single ball.

Junaid Siddique was the pick of the UAE bowling, claiming four wickets in his eight-over spell comprising two maiden overs. He conceded 23 runs. Kashif Daud and Ahmed Raza pocketed two wickets each.

Earlier, UAE's middle order batsman Rohan Mustafa scored 60 off 73 that included two fences and a six before he was bowled by pacer Kami. Opener Muhammad Waseem and Chirag Suri put up a 57-run stand for the first wicket. Waseem contributed 33 off 51 and was first wicket to fall after he was trapped leg before by captain Lamichhane.

Suri scored 26 facing 54 deliveries that comprised three boundaries. He was caught by wicketkeeper Binod Bhandari off Karan KC. Vriitya Aravind contributed 45-ball 24 before being bowled by Aarif Sheikh while Basil Hameed scored 17 off 33. He was caught and bowled by captain Lamichhane.

Alishan Sharafu played a quickfire 13-ball 21 while Sahoor Khan remained not out on nine runs.

Nepal captain Lamichhane claimed three wickets in his 10-over spell with a maiden over. He gave away 32 runs. Kami and KC pocketed two wickets each while Ashik and Sarraf claimed one wicket each.

Nepal are sixth in the seven-team standings with 10 points with five wins and six defeats in 11 matches. The UAE are second with 22 points from 18 matches while Oman lead the standings on 36 points from 28 games.

PNG are at the bottom of the table. They bagged their first win after a stunning six-wicket victory over the UAE on Saturday. Each team will play 36 matches at the completion of League 2 cycle, with the top three teams qualifying for the 2023 World Cup Qualifiers.