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Nepal had to dig deep to get the better of the UAE in the second T20 International at ICC Cricket Academy on Friday.
Middle order bat Dipendra Singh Airee kept his nerves in a dramatic chase as Nepal managed to nick a four-wicket win with three balls to spare.
Nepal levelled the three-match ANIB Challenge Series 1-1, with the decider to be played at the same venue on Sunday.
Airee, who turned 19 just over a week ago, held Nepal's innings together with an unbeaten 47 from 41 deliveries, studded with four boundaries and a six, to help the visitors cross the line after they were left tottering at 46 for five.
Nepal had done well to restrict the hosts to 107 all out in 19.2 overs with their bowlers coming up with a fine effort.
Medium pacer Abinash Bohara had led the way by snapping up three wickets for 20, his best figures in T20. Fellow pacer Sompal Kami took two for 15, while young leg spinner Sandeep Lamichhane returned with his best bowling figures in the format with two for 19.
A target that had seemed easy to chase down became all the more difficult with the UAE bowling attack plugging holes in their batting line-up. Nepal captain Paras Khadka was out for nought off the second ball bowled by medium pacer and opposite number Mohammad Naveed, caught at cover point by Shaiman Anwar.
Khadka's opening partner Pradeep Airee made a run-a-ball eight before he was caught by Muhammad Usman off medium pacer Amir Hayat. Gyanendra Malla fell leg before to Sultan Ahmed after which KC Karan's resistance came to end, with the No.3 batsman castled by leg spinner Imran Haider, for a 23-ball 20.
The writing was clearly on the wall for Nepal with Thursday's hero Sundeep Jora falling cheaply for one. It seemed a mammoth mountain to climb for Nepal with half their side gone.
But Airee and Pawan Sarraf buckled down and breathed life into the chase. The pair put on a crucial 55 runs for the sixth wicket and although there was to be more drama with Sarraf holing out to Naveed at long on, off left-arm spinner Sultan Ahmed, with five deliveries left.
But Airee ensured there was to be no more hiccups, hoisting medium pacer Zahoor Khan for a six, to take Nepal home.
Earlier, UAE opener Chundangapoyil Rizwan had top scored with 44, his highest score in the format. His knock came from 43 deliveries and included four boundaries and a six.
But the rest of the line-up crumbled.
james@khaleejtimes.com
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