Himal Press 
KATHMANDU: Nepal suffered a six-wicket defeat under the DLS method in the first match of the two-match T20 series against the UAE on Monday.
Batting first, Nepal scored 122 for the loss of eight wickets in 18.5 overs before rain interrupted the play at the TU International Cricket Ground in Kirtipur. UAE, who were given a revised target of 78 runs in 10 overs, achieved the target, losing four wickets with seven balls to spare.
Nepal’s new-looking batting order failed to click. The opening pair of Kushal Bhurtel (16) and Arjun Saud (13) could add only 21 runs. Nepal lost Sundeep Jora for 13 before Kushal Malla and Captain Dipendra Singh Airee steadied the innings. Kushal scored 17, while Airee remained not out at 32 off 35 balls. Basir Ahamad and Nandan Yadav contributed with 14 and 13, respectively.
Muhammad Zuhaib picked up three wickets for UAE, while Junaid Siddique claimed two, and Haider Ali and Khuzaima Tanveer chipped in with a wicket each.
Captain Muhammad Waseem scored 33 off 15 balls as UAE made light work of the chase. Although Sandeep Lamichhane tried to keep pressure on UAE, removing Waseem and Adeeb Usmani in the space of two balls, Alishan Sharafu scored 18 off 15, and Akshdeep Nath scored a not-out 17 off eight balls to give UAE a 1-0 lead in the series.
Sandeep Lamichhane picked up three wickets for Nepal, while Kushal Malla claimed one. Debutant Hemanth Dhami had a poor outing as he conceded 20 runs in the only over he bowled on Monday.
Nepal and the UAE will play the second and final match of the series on Tuesday.
