KATHMANDU: The Nepal national cricket team suffered a six-wicket defeat against the United Arab Emirates national cricket team in the first match of the T20 International series at the Tribhuvan University International Cricket Ground.
After rain interrupted the match, the UAE were set a revised target of 78 runs in 10 overs. The visiting side chased the target with seven balls to spare, losing four wickets.
UAE captain Muhammad Waseem top-scored with 33 runs, while Alishan Sharafu contributed 18 runs.
For Nepal, Sandeep Lamichhane took three wickets, and Kushal Malla claimed one wicket.
Earlier, Nepal had scored 122 runs for the loss of eight wickets in 18.5 overs before rain halted play. Captain Dipendra Singh Airee remained unbeaten on 32, while Lamichhane was not out on 2.
Other contributions came from Kushal Bhurtel (16), Arjun Saud (13), Sundeep Jora (6), Kushal Malla (17), Bashir Ahmad (14), Gulshan Jha (1), Nandan Yadav (13), and Sher Malla (0).
For the UAE, Muhammad Zohaib took three wickets, while Junaid Siddique claimed two. Syed Haider and Muhammad Arfan picked up one wicket each.
The second T20I match between Nepal and the UAE is scheduled for Tuesday.
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