The United Arab Emirates pulled off a comfortable 5-wicket victory over Nepal in the 87th match of the ICC World Cup League 2 at the ICC Academy in Dubai on Thursday, October 30, 2025. Despite captain Rohit Paudel’s brilliant century of 109 off 126 balls, Nepal was bowled out for 233 runs in 50 overs. UAE chased down the target in just 43.3 overs, securing a crucial win that lifted them off the bottom of the points table.
Nepal struggled early in their innings, losing both openers cheaply at 26 for 2. Opener Aasif Sheikh contributed 35 before falling at 61 for 3. Captain Rohit Paudel then led a recovery effort with his composed century that included 5 fours and 1 six. He built important partnerships, including a 70-run stand with Aarif Sheikh (27) and a 54-run partnership with vice-captain Dipendra Singh Airee (23). However, Nepal lost momentum in the final overs, managing only 39 runs in the last five overs.
Sources: Khabar Hub, ESPNcricinfo
Match Scorecard
| Team | Score | Overs | Wickets | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nepal | 233 | 50.0 | All out | Lost by 5 wickets |
| UAE | 237 | 43.3 | 5 wickets | Won with 39 balls remaining |
Top Performers
| Player | Team | Role | Performance |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rohit Paudel | Nepal | Batsman | 109 runs (126 balls, 5×4, 1×6) |
| Zahid Ali | UAE | Bowler | 4/41 (6 overs) |
| Aryansh Sharma | UAE | Batsman | 98 runs (98 balls, 10×4, 3×6) |
| Junaid Siddique | UAE | Bowler | 3/54 (10 overs) |
| Alishan Sharafu | UAE | Batsman | 45 runs (62 balls, 6×4, 3×6) |
Key Moments
- Early Collapse: Nepal stumbled to 26 for 2, losing Kushal Bhurtel (7) and Bhim Sharki (3) early in their innings
- Paudel’s Heroics: Captain Rohit Paudel played a masterful innings of 109 runs, becoming the backbone of Nepal’s batting effort
- Zahid Ali’s Debut Impact: UAE debutant Zahid Ali impressed with 4 wickets for 41 runs in six overs, dismantling Nepal’s lower order
- Solid Start: UAE openers Alishan Sharafu and Aryansh Sharma provided a solid foundation with a 63-run opening partnership
- Sharma’s Near Miss: Aryansh Sharma top-scored with 98 runs, falling just short of a deserved century but guiding UAE to the brink of victory
- Clinical Chase: UAE successfully chased down the target with 39 balls remaining, showcasing superior batting depth
Match Analysis
Nepal’s batting performance highlighted the significant gap between their captain and the rest of the batting lineup. While Rohit Paudel delivered when it mattered most, the lack of substantial contributions from other batsmen proved costly. The early wickets put immense pressure on the middle order, and despite Paudel’s century, Nepal’s total of 233 was below par on a batting-friendly Dubai surface.
For UAE, the bowling attack executed their plans perfectly. Zahid Ali’s impressive debut performance, combined with Junaid Siddique’s consistent pressure, restricted Nepal to a chaseable target. In response, UAE’s batting order showed remarkable composure. The opening partnership set the tone, and despite losing wickets at regular intervals, the middle order maintained the required run rate comfortably.
Nepal’s bowling struggled to create sustained pressure during the chase. Sandeep Lamichhane picked up 2 wickets for 34 runs in 10 overs, while Karan KC and Dipendra Singh Airee grabbed one wicket each, but it wasn’t enough to stop UAE’s march to victory.
What’s Next
With this loss, Nepal have dropped to seventh in the ICC World Cup League 2 standings with 12 points from 18 matches. UAE, previously at the bottom of the table, have climbed to 8 points with their fourth win.This was Nepal’s second consecutive defeat in the tri-series after their 106-run loss to the United States earlier in the week.
Both teams will continue their campaigns in the ongoing tri-series in Dubai, with qualification for the 2027 Cricket World Cup hanging in the balance. Nepal need to regroup quickly and find support for captain Rohit Paudel, while UAE will be buoyed by this confidence-boosting victory and the emergence of new match-winners like Zahid Ali.
The next fixtures in the series will be crucial for both teams as they look to accumulate points in their quest for World Cup qualification.