Shahdad, Waseem lead UAE to clinical win against Nepal in Dubai

The United Arab Emirates produced a disciplined all-round display to beat Nepal by four wickets in the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup League 2 match at the ICC Academy in Dubai on Wednesday. A composed 96 from Muhammad Shahdad and a fluent 76 from Muhammad Waseem guided the hosts to a straightforward chase of 240, sealing victory with five balls to spare.

After being asked to bat first, Nepal reached 239 for 9 in their 50 overs. Openers failed to make early inroads, but Bhim Sharki (48 off 68) and Kushal Malla (45 off 51) rebuilt the innings with a steady stand.

Captain Rohit Paudel (30) and Dipendra Singh Airee (37) added useful runs in the middle order, yet regular breakthroughs prevented the visitors from accelerating.

The UAE bowlers maintained tight control throughout, with Junaid Siddique (2-36) and Dhruv Parashar (2-28) leading the attack, while Muhammad Jawadullah also claimed 2-67.

In reply, UAE's chase was measured and rarely under pressure. Despite losing a couple of early wickets, Muhammad Shahdad and Muhammad Waseem stitched together a commanding 147-run partnership for the fourth wicket, effectively taking the game away from Nepal.

Shahdad's 96 off 123 balls, laced with six fours and three sixes, showcased maturity and patience, while Waseem's 76 off 73 balls provided the attacking impetus.

Nepal's bowlers tried to claw their way back, with Karan KC returning 3-58 and Sandeep Lamichhane picking up 1-35, but the Emirati batters ensured there were no late jitters as they comfortably reached 243 for 6 in 49.1 overs.

The win earned UAE two valuable points in the ongoing League 2 campaign, keeping their progress on track. They now have five wins from 20 matches and sit at the bottom of the table in eighth place with 10 points. Meanwhile, Nepal's string of defeats in this series has raised concerns within the team management and the Cricket Association of Nepal (CAN), prompting questions about the team's consistency and approach in the 50-over format.

Match Summary:

Nepal 239/9 (50 ov) — Bhim Sharki 48, Kushal Malla 45; Junaid Siddique 2/36, Dhruv Parashar 2/28
UAE 243/6 (49.1 ov) — Muhammad Shahdad 96, Muhammad Waseem 76; Karan KC 3/58, Sandeep Lamichhane 1/35

Result: UAE won by 4 wickets
Player of the Match: Muhammad Shahdad (UAE)
Venue: ICC Academy, Dubai