In a heart-stopping encounter that kept fans on the edge of their seats until the final ball, N
epal defeated the United Arab Emirates (UAE) by just one run in the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup Asia Qualifier on Sunday. The victory keeps Nepal’s unbeaten streak alive and pushes them closer to World Cup qualification.
Nepal, batting first, set a target of 141 runs after a steady start and a middle-order flourish led by Aasif Sheikh’s half-century (50 off 38). Quick contributions from Dipendra Singh Airee (26 off 17) and Rohit Paudel (18 off 14) helped the Rhinos reach a competitive total of 140/6.
In reply, UAE looked well on course as Muhammad Waseem blazed his way to 42 off 25 balls, but Nepal’s bowlers turned the tide in a tense finish. Airee, once again the hero, delivered a brilliant spell of 3/22, including key wickets at crucial moments.
The drama peaked in the final over when UAE needed 6 runs from the last ball. A quick single turned chaotic, and a sharp run-out by Nepal’s fielders sealed the one-run victory, sparking wild celebrations from the Nepali players and fans.
Rohit Paudel, Nepal’s captain, said:
“This win shows our resilience. Every player gave their heart today, and that’s what makes Nepal cricket special.”
The narrow win keeps Nepal unbeaten in the Super Six stage and boosts their chances of securing a historic spot in the 2026 ICC Men’s T20 World Cup.