UAE Sets 129-Run Target for Nepal in T20I Series at Kirtipur

Kathmandu. In the second day of the ongoing 'Under Lights T20I Series' at the TU Cricket Ground in Kirtipur, UAE has set a target of 129 runs for Nepal.

Thanks to an outstanding performance by the Nepali bowlers, UAE was restricted to 128 runs for the loss of 8 wickets in their allotted 20 overs.

Nepal's decision to bowl first after winning the toss proved relatively fruitful today. The Nepali bowlers delivered lethal spells, dismantling the UAE batting lineup. For Nepal, Hemant Dhami dismissed UAE's Muhammad Waseem for a golden duck on the very first ball of the innings. Following this, other batters continued to fall at regular intervals. 

For UAE, Akshdeep Nath attempted to stabilize the innings by scoring a half-century. Similarly, Muhammad Afran contributed 32 runs off 36 balls. Adeep Usmani raised some hopes by scoring 32 runs off 22 balls before being trapped LBW by Sandeep Lamichhane.

Meanwhile, Alishan Sharafu was caught by Lokesh Bam off the bowling of Nandan Yadav for just one run. Hemant Dhami dismissed Harpreet Singh via LBW. Sohaib Khan, Nilansh Keswani, and Khuzaima Tanveer failed to open their accounts.

For Nepal, Sandeep Lamichhane proved to be the standout bowler once again. Bowling his full quota of four overs, he conceded only 6 runs while taking three crucial wickets, including one maiden over.

Similarly, Hemant Dhami also bowled his full 4 overs, conceding 20 runs and taking 2 wickets. Shahab Alam took one wicket for 29 runs in 3 overs, while Gulshan Jha bowled just one over, conceding only one run.

Captain Dipendra Singh Airee conceded 16 runs in three overs without taking a wicket. Santosh Yadav, who made his international debut today, proved expensive, conceding 11 runs in his single over. 

This is the second time Nepal and UAE are competing in the series today.

In the first encounter held yesterday, Nepal was defeated by UAE by 6 wickets. Nepal entered the field today with the goal of avenging that loss. Four changes have been made to the Nepali squad for today's match; Santosh Yadav has been included in place of Sher Malla, marking his international cricket debut. 

The Nepali team is being captained by Dipendra Singh Airee.