UAE down Nepal to finish on top of WCL Division 2
dubai — The UAE won the ICC World Cricket League Division 2 by defeating Nepal by seven runs in an exciting end to a thrilling tournament in Windhoek, according to a press release.
The UAE will now join the West Indies, Ireland, the Netherlands and PNG in group A at the ICC Cricket World Cup Qualifiers in Zimbabwe, while Nepal will take the remaining spot in group B alongside Afghanistan, Hong Kong, Scotland and Zimbabwe.
Canada secured third place in Division 2 beating Namibia by 49 runs, who took fourth and Oman finished fifth after a five wicket win over sixth placed Kenya.
The UAE batting order all played their part, but Ashfaq Ahmed’s century (114, 123b, 10x4, 3x6) was the stand out batting performance. Captain Rohan Mustafa (51), Rameez Shahzad (41 not out) and Shaiman Anwar (40) all chipped in with important runs.
Sandeep Lamichhane (1-39) was once again the stand out bowler for the Nepalese. The UAE finished their innings on 270 for eight after their 50 overs.
In reply Nepal had their own century maker, captain Paras Khadka (112*, 103b, 3x4, 8x6) who almost led Nepal over the line again in another close match.
His heroics — which earned him the title of most runs in the tournament at 241 runs — supported by Dipendra Airee (35) and Sharad Vesawkar (30) were not quite enough as they fell eight runs short from victory.
UAE’s Amir Hayat was the standout bowler taking four wickets for 53 runs.