KATHMANDU: Nepal national cricket team secured a comfortable eight-wicket victory over the United Arab Emirates national cricket team in the second match of the T20I series.
The match played at the Tribhuvan University International Cricket Ground saw Nepal chase down the target of 129 runs in 15.5 overs, leveling the series.
Openers led the chase with a brilliant performance from Kushal Bhurtel, who scored an explosive half-century. Facing 57 balls, he smashed 82 runs, including 12 fours and two sixes.
Captain Dipendra Singh Airee added 23 runs, while Kushal Malla contributed 19. Santosh Yadav, who made his debut in the national team, was dismissed for one run.
Earlier, batting first after losing the toss, UAE posted 128 runs for the loss of eight wickets in the allotted 20 overs.
For Nepal, Sandeep Lamichhane was the standout bowler, claiming three wickets. Bowling four overs, he delivered one maiden and conceded only six runs. Hemant Dhami took two wickets, while Nandan Yadav and Sahab Alam picked up one wicket each.
For UAE, Akshadeep Nath scored the highest with 53 runs off 42 balls, including three fours and four sixes. Muhammad Irfan made 32 runs, while Adeem Usmani added 30.
In the first match played on Monday, Nepal had suffered a six-wicket defeat against UAE.
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