Nepal bounced back from heartbreaking losses against hosts United Arab Emirates to thrash Papua New Guinea (PNG) by seven wickets at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium on Tuesday.

Kushal Bhurtel and Aarif Sheikh scored a half-century each and Rohit Paudel was unbeaten on 44 as the Rhinos chased down the target of 174 runs in 37 overs to conclude the triangular series of the ICC Cricket World Cup League 2 with two wins.

Nepal’s batting had come under the spotlight after capitulating in two successive losses against the UAE, including Monday’s 99-run humiliation that also saw Nepal score their lowest ever one-day international total when they were skittled for just 103 runs. Nepal had succumbed to a 48-run defeat against the hosts on Sunday.

Nepal’s top order misery appeared to continue when Bhurtel’s opening partner Aasif Sheikh–reinstated to the starting XI–was bowled out by Kabua Morea for just 2 runs in the fourth over.

But Bhurtel remained unconquered until halfway anchoring Nepal’s innings with his second career ODI fifty. He shared an 87-run partnership with Aarif Sheikh for the second wicket. Bhurtel, stumped on 50, scored four boundaries and one six in his 64-ball knock.

Dipendra Singh Airee was the next quick casualty, out for a duck in the second ball, caught by Chad Soper off Charles Amini.

Player of the match Aarif (59) then partnered with Rohit Paudel (44) for an unbroken 77-run stand to guide Nepal to victory, their second over PNG in the Series. It was Aarif’s first career ODI fifty that included four fours. Paudel smacked five fences.

Sent to bat first after losing the toss, PNG batted through 50 overs and made 173 losing eight wickets.

PNG lost opener Tony Ura cheaply for six when Karan KC had him caught behind. And they were 33-2 when the wicketkeeper batsman’s opening pair Lega Saika fell for 20 in the 10th over, also caught behind off Sompal Kami.

Captain Assad Vala came at number three and top scored for PNG smacking 45 off 96 balls but Amimi (13), Riley Hekure (1) and Sese Bau (19) all failed to find rhythm before Vala also departed in the 33rd over, also caught behind off Pawan Sarraf.

Soper (22 not out), Norman Vanua (18) and Morea (17) then guided PNG to the moderate total.

Nepal captain Sandeep Lamichhane and Sompal Kami returned the match figures of 2-29 and 2-37 respectively. Aarif and Dipendra also picked a wicket each.

The win means Nepal remain in sixth on 12 points after six wins and draws each. PNG are at the bottom of the seven-team standings after managing only one win in 15 matches. PNG’s only win came against the UAE on Saturday.

Oman lead the table with 36 points from 28 matches and the UAE are second on 22 points from 18 matches.