Nepal defeated the United Arab Emirates by 37 runs in the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup League 2 at TU International Cricket Ground in Kirtipur after a disciplined bowling performance defended a modest total of 200.

Batting first after losing the toss, Nepal were bowled out for 200 in 48.2 overs. The innings never fully settled after early wickets, with Aasif Sheikh and Bhim Sharki falling cheaply. Kushal Bhurtel made 24 off 25 balls before Captain Rohit Paudel was dismissed for just two runs, leaving Nepal under pressure at 49 for 4.

Dipendra Singh Airee anchored the innings with a composed 75 off 90 deliveries, striking five fours and two sixes. He built key partnerships in the middle overs, first with Basir Ahamad, who scored 20, and later with Aarif Sheikh and Sompal Kami, helping Nepal push past the 150 mark. Karan KC added a valuable 22 lower down the order.

Junaid Siddique was the pick of the UAE bowlers with 3 for 33, while Ajay Kumar and Khuzaima Tanveer took three and two wickets respectively.

In reply, the UAE were restricted to 163 in 48.2 overs. Aryansh Sharma scored 18, while Harpreet Singh top-scored with 39. Muhammad Waseem made 34, and Akshdeep Nath contributed 30, but none of the batters converted starts into a match-winning innings as Nepal’s attack maintained pressure throughout.

Karan KC led the bowling effort with 4 for 19 in 9.2 overs, breaking the back of the UAE top and middle order. Sompal Kami supported with two wickets, while Sandeep Lamichhane and Lalit Rajbanshi took two and one respectively. Dipendra Singh Airee also chipped in with a wicket.