Kathmandu: Nepal has set a 240-run target against hosts United Arab Emirates (UAE) in their fourth and final match of the UAE Tri-Series under the ICC World Cup League 2 (WCL-2) at the ICC Academy in Dubai, Wednesday.

After being sent in to bat first, Nepal faced early struggles but managed to post a competitive total of 239-9 in their allotted 50 overs. Bhim Sharki top-scored for the visitors with a composed 48 off 68 deliveries.

Having lost all three of their previous matches in the series — by 107 runs and four wickets against the United States, and by seven wickets to the UAE — Nepal entered the contest seeking their first victory of the tour.

The innings got off to a shaky start when opener Kushal Bhurtel fell cheaply for just two runs. However, Aasif Sheikh and Bhim Sharki steadied the innings with a 74-run stand for the second wicket. The partnership ended when Sheikh was dismissed on 34 off 48 (four fences) and captain Rohit Paudel soon followed for only two runs, leaving Nepal at 87-3.

Sharki, who anchored the innings, was eventually caught by Alishan Sharafu off the bowling of Dhruv Parashar. Kushal Malla then contributed 45 off 51 balls, featuring one four and three sixes, to keep the scoreboard moving.

Useful middle-order contributions came from Aarif Sheikh (30 off 54), Dipendra Singh Airee (37 off 43), and Sandeep Lamichhane, who remained unbeaten on 15 off 10 deliveries to help Nepal close in on the 240 mark.

For the hosts, Dhruv Parashar, Junaid Siddique, and Muhammad Jawadullah each picked up two wickets apiece, keeping Nepal’s scoring in check throughout the innings.