Nepal secured their place in the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup Qualifier for 2023 in Zimbabwe after a thrilling victory over the United Arab Emirates (UAE) by nine runs through the Duckworth-Lewis-Stern (DLS) method in a crucial Cricket World Cup League 2 match.
In an intense encounter at the Tribhuvan University Ground, Nepal’s victory was all the more remarkable as it allowed them to leapfrog Namibia in the League 2 standings and clinch the coveted third Qualifier spot for the 2023 Cricket World Cup. This achievement was met with jubilation as Nepal’s cricketing aspirations soared to new heights.
The contest took a dramatic turn when, with 42 runs needed from 36 balls, the umpires decided to suspend play due to fading light conditions. At that moment, Nepal held a nine-run lead over the DLS score, granting them a precious two points that pushed them ahead of Namibia by just one point in the overall standings.
The journey to victory, however, was anything but straightforward for Nepal. Initially, facing a daunting target of 311 runs, their innings got off to a rocky start as they lost Aasif Sheikh and Kushal Malla within the first nine balls. Captain Rohit Paudel’s brief attempt to stabilize the innings was thwarted by Aayan Khan, who dismissed him in the seventh over, leaving Nepal struggling at 37/3.
Yet, Nepal demonstrated remarkable resilience as Bhim Sarki, scoring 67, and Kushal Bhurtel, contributing 50, initiated a spirited fightback in the middle overs. Aarif Sheikh also played a crucial role with his 52 runs. The turning point came when 17-year-old Gulsan Jha stepped up with an unbeaten 50 in the latter stages, ensuring that Nepal maintained a lead over the required DLS score when the umpires decided to halt the game.
In the earlier stages of the match, UAE’s decision to bat first, after winning the toss, put the onus on Nepal to chase down a substantial target. Muhammad Waseem, the opener for UAE, made a significant impact with his batting display, silencing the energetic crowd at the Tribhuvan University Ground with a flurry of boundaries. Lalit Rajbanshi, however, provided a glimmer of hope for Nepal by dismissing Aryan Lakra early on.
Sandeep Lamichhane, Nepal’s leg-spinner, then struck a crucial blow by dismissing Waseem, marking his 99th ODI wicket and shifting the momentum back in Nepal’s favor. An unfortunate run-out involving CP Rizwan further tightened the screws for the hosts.
Vriitya Aravind, though, remained undeterred and continued to lead UAE’s charge, reaching his half-century with a well-placed shot behind point off Sompal Kami. His resilience helped UAE surpass the 200-run mark, setting the stage for a late onslaught by his teammates.
Asif Khan joined Aravind in a sensational partnership that rattled the Nepal bowlers. Khan’s remarkable performance included an incredible 101* off just 42 balls, featuring an astonishing 11 sixes – making it the fourth-fastest century in men’s ODIs. This electrifying partnership propelled UAE to a formidable total of 310/6.
In the end, Nepal’s perseverance and determination paved the way for their incredible victory, securing their place in the World Cup Qualifier and igniting celebrations in the cricketing community of Nepal.
