UAE make it four-in-four, Nepal register their third win in Asia Qualifier

An all-round performance from UAE saw them smashing Kuwait to make it four out of four in the T20 World Cup Asia Qualifier in Dubai on Friday (November 26). Nepal beat Malaysia to register their third win from four matches.



Opting to field first at the ICC Academy Ground 2, UAE restricted Kuwait to 76 for five from the stipulated 20 overs with Khushi Sharma taking three wickets. Only Maryam Omar offered some resistance for Kuwait with an unbeaten 31.



In the chase, although they lost in-form Theetha Satish early, UAE were in a hurry and both Esha Oza and Kavisha Egodage were severe on Kuwait bowlers smashing 14 fours and a six between them. Oza made 38 off just 13 balls before getting out while Egodage remained unbeaten on 33 from 13 balls.



At the ICC Academy Ground, despite Elsa Hunter scoring a 39, Malaysia could notch up only 92 for seven from their 20 overs. For Nepal, Shabnam Rai picked up two wickets, while Kabita Kunwar, Sita Rana Magar and Rubina Chhetry took one apiece.



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Chasing 93, Nepal lost Indu Barma early, but Rana Magar and Chhetry added 48 runs to steady the chase before they lost both to run outs. From there, Sarita Magar and Kunwar scored some important runs to take them closer to home before Apasari Begum’s single brought them the win in the 19^th over.



In the third match, put into bat, Hong Kong lost two early wickets before Natasha Miles and Kary Chan took them to 82 with a 69-run partnership. Post the dismissal of Miles, their innings fell away and eventually finished on 109 for eight in 20 overs.



For Hong Kong, Anju Gurung three for ten, while Tashi Cheki two for 15.



In reply, Bhutan struggled from the start as they lost wickets at regular intervals without ever threatening to chase down Hong Kong’s score. Betty Chan and Iqra Sahar were the most impressive bowlers for Bhutan with two wickets each.



Brief Scores:



Malaysia 92/7 in 20 overs (Elsa Hunter 39; Sabnam Rai 2/27) lost to Nepal 93/4 in 18.4 overs (Sita Rana Magar 30; Aisya Eleesa 1/14) by six wickets



Kuwait 76/5 in 20 overs (Maryam Omar 31*; Khushi Sharma 3/13) lost to UAE 77/3 in 6 overs (Esha Oza 38, Kavisha Egodage 33*) by seven wickets



Hong Kong 109/8 in 20 overs (Kary Chan 43, Natasha Miles 34; Anju Gurung 3/10, Tashi Cheki 2/15) beat Bhutan 89/7 in 20 overs (Ngawang Choden 22; Betty Chan 2/17, Iqra Sahar 2/18) by 20 runs