Yayin Kiran Rai's unbeaten ton not enough as Nepal pip UAE in rain-affected thriller

By Cricketing Country | Posted Posted Apr 13, 2025

Nepal kicked off their ICC U19 Men’s Cricket World Cup Asia Qualifiers campaign with a five-run DLS victory over UAE in a rain-hit encounter at the newly inaugurated Lower Mulpani International Cricket Ground on Sunday, the venue's first-ever international fixture, nearly 17 years after its construction began.

In a match delayed by over two hours due to a wet outfield, UAE won the toss and opted to bowl in a game reduced to 40 overs per side. Nepal lost opener Niraj Yadav early, bowled for 18 by left-arm spinner Alisagar Shums. Sahil Patel then added 40 runs with captain Naren Bhatta before falling for a watchful 32 off 54 balls.

Nepal suffered a mid-innings wobble, losing quick wickets to slump to 100 for 4 by the 25th over. However, Naren anchored the innings with a crucial 76-run fifth-wicket stand alongside Dilshad Ali. Naren top-scored with a composed 67 off 75, featuring seven boundaries, while Dilshad chipped in with 34, including a six.

A late collapse saw Nepal lose four wickets for just 14 runs in the final three overs, finishing on 200/9.

UAE’s Uddish Suri was the pick of the bowlers with 3 for 26 from 8 overs, while Yug Sharma and Shalom D’Souza claimed two apiece.

In fading light, Nepal were restricted to bowling just two overs of pace, one in the first over of the second innings, delivered by Abhishek Tiwari, who made an immediate impact with a wicket and a run-out in the opening over. With UAE at 6 for 2, Yayin Kiran Rai and Muhammad Rayan Khan rebuilt with a 75-run partnership.

Rayan departed for 35, dismissed by Naren, but Yayin Kiran stood tall with a magnificent unbeaten 104 off 96 balls — the first century of the tournament, decorated with eight fours and five sixes.

At the end of the 35th over, UAE were two runs ahead on DLS. However, play continued despite the rain, and Santosh Yadav dismissed Karan Dhiman in the 36th over, tilting the DLS equation in Nepal’s favor. With UAE on 171 for 7, and no improvement in light, umpires finally called off play after multiple light checks, handing Nepal a narrow five- run win.

Santosh Yadav (2 for 23) and Ashok Dhami (2 for 30) were among the wickets, while Abhishek Tiwari and Naren Bhatta took one apiece.

Yayin Kiran Rai was named Player of the Match for his valiant hundred in a losing cause.

Nepal will next face Oman on Monday at the Upper Mulpani International Cricket Ground.