Kathmandu: Nepal slumped to their second consecutive defeat, going down to the United Arab Emirates (UAE) by seven wickets on Thursday in their second match of the UAE Tri-Series under the ICC World Cup League 2 (WCL-2) at the ICC Academy, Dubai.

Chasing the target, hosts UAE scored 237-5 in 43.3 overs after Nepal, opting to bat first, were bowled out for 233 runs off the final ball of the innings.

UAE opener Aryans Sharma made light work of the chase, hammering a fluent 98 off 98 balls before being caught and bowled by Sandeep Lamichhane as the fourth wicket fell in the 34.2nd over. His innings, laced with 10 fours and three sixes, provided the backbone of the UAE innings and set the tone for a commanding chase.

Aryans shared a vital 63-run opening stand with Alishan Sharafu, who played a blistering knock of 45 off 26 balls, striking six boundaries and three sixes. He later combined with Muhammad Waseem for a 76-run partnership for the fourth wicket, with Waseem contributing a patient 26 off 46 balls.

Rohit Paudel bats against UAE. Photos Courtesy: CAN

Captain Rahul Chopra added 15 off 24 balls before retiring hurt, but UAE never lost control of the chase, cruising comfortably to victory.Dhruv Parasar remained not out on 16 runs.

Leg spinner Sandeep Lamichhane claimed 2-34 in his 10 overs bowling while Karan KC and Dipendra Singh Airee picked one wicket each.

Earlier, Nepal skipper Rohit Paudel once again led from the front with a superb 109 off 130 balls, studded with five boundaries and two sixes, before being dismissed as the eighth wicket in the 48th over. It was Paudel’s second ODI century, a lone stand of resistance amid regular batting collapses.

Rohit Paudel bats against UAE. Photos Courtesy: CAN

Nepal endured another shaky start, losing wickets at frequent intervals. Opener Aasif Sheikh managed a steady 35 off 48 balls while his brother Aarif Sheikh added 27 off 42. Dipendra Singh Airee chipped in with 23 off 28 and Karan KC smashed a quickfire 13 off 8 as Nepal struggled to capitalise on Paudel’s brilliance.

For the hosts, Zahid Ali was the pick of the bowlers, taking 4 for 41 in six overs, while Junaid Siddique delivered an impressive 3 for 54 from his full quota of ten overs.

In the ongoing three-year League 2 cycle involving eight teams, Nepal currently sit seventh with 16 points from 18 matches, including five wins and two no results. The UAE, with this being their fourth victory, remain at the bottom with eight points from 18 games. The United States top the standings with 32 points from 22 matches, followed by Scotland with 30 points from 24 games.