UAE set Nepal 135-run target in Asia Qualifier semis

Vritiya Aravind cracked a half-century as the United Arab Emirates set a 135-run target against Nepal in the semi-finals of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2024 Asia Qualifiers being held at the Mulpani Cricket Ground in Kathmandu on Friday.

Opting to bat first after winning the toss, UAE lost openers Khalid Shah and Muhammad Waseem in quick succession after Shah was run out for a cheap 4-ball 3 in 3.1 overs and Waseem was caught shortly after by Karan KC in 3.4 overs.

UAE’s number three Aravind muscled eight fours and two sixes guiding the visitors to 134-9 in the allotted 20 overs. The right-handed batter put 64 runs, the highest of the innings, facing 51 deliveries on the scoreboard before being caught by Gulsan Jha off Kushal Malla in the last over.

Likewise, Asif Khan managed a low 14-knock 13 while Alishan Sharafu also contributed 16 runs facing the same number of deliveries. Asif was caught leg before by Sandeep Lamichhane in 9.6 overs while Sharafu was caught by Sompal Kami off Kushal Malla in 13.4 overs.

None of the other UAE batters managed to score in double digits.

Nepal finished second in Group A after losing to Oman by 5 runs in a nailbiter on Thursday. Top seed Oman have set a target of 107 runs against Bahrain, who secured the second spot in Group B despite losing to Kuwait by four wickets, in the semis being held simultaneously at the TU Cricket Ground.