KATHMANDU: Vice-captain Dipendra Singh Airee and Aarif Sheikh produced a match-defining partnership to steer Nepal to a comfortable seven-wicket victory over the UAE in a T20 World Cup warm-up match.
Coming together at a difficult phase of the chase, Airee and Sheikh took complete control of the innings, rotating the strike smartly and capitalizing on loose deliveries. Their unbeaten 108-run stand for the fourth wicket proved to be one of Nepal’s most significant middle-order partnerships in recent times, effectively sealing the match.
Aarif Sheikh led the charge with a fluent unbeaten 61 off 37 balls, striking two sixes and eight boundaries. He played with composure and intent, keeping the scoreboard moving while finding regular gaps in the field.
At the other end, Dipendra Singh Airee complemented Sheikh perfectly, remaining not out on 50 from 31 balls. His innings included one six and four fours, marked by calm decision-making and timely aggression.
Their confident batting display ensured Nepal chased down the 146-run target with ease, reaching the total with 18 balls to spare. The partnership not only rescued Nepal from early trouble but also underlined the growing reliability of the team’s middle order ahead of the ICC T20 World Cup 2026.
Comment