Bhurtel, Lamichhane shine as Nepal level Under Lights T20I Series

By Pramod Joshi, Kathmandu, Apr. 22: Kushal Bhurtel and Sandeep Lamichhane produced match‑winning performances with bat and ball as Nepal defeated the United Arab Emirates by eight wickets to square the two‑match Twenty20 International series under lights at TU Cricket Ground on Tuesday.

Nepal, who had lost the rain‑affected opener by six wickets on Monday, bounced back strongly after inviting the visitors to bat first. The UAE were restricted to 128 for eight in their 20 overs, before Nepal chased down the target of 129 in just 15.5 overs with two wickets down.

The victory marked Dipendra Singh Airee’s first win as captain and Coach Stuart Law’s maiden home success since taking charge. Besides, the T20I Series is also the first cricket event held under the floodlights at the home soil.

A change at the top of the order paid dividends. Bhurtel partnered Kushal Malla, replacing Arjun Saud, and the pair stitched together a brisk 67‑run stand for the first wicket. Malla, opening for the fourth time in T20Is, struck one four and two sixes in his 19 off 17 balls before being caught by UAE skipper Muhammad Wasim off Muhammad Arfan.

Debutant Santosh Yadav fell cheaply, stumped by Adeeb Usmani for one, but Bhurtel capitalised on a dropped chance in the sixth over to reach his 14th T20I fifty off 31 balls, hitting nine boundaries and a six.

He then combined with Airee in an unbroken 58‑run partnership to see Nepal home. Bhurtel finished with a commanding 84 off 57 deliveries, laced with 12 fours and two sixes, while Airee remained unbeaten on 23 from 17 balls. Nilansh Keswani and Arfan claimed a wicket apiece for the UAE.

Earlier, Akshdeep Nath anchored the UAE innings with an unbeaten half‑century after a disastrous start. Hemant Dhami struck with the first ball, trapping Wasim for a golden duck. Alishan Sharafu (1) was brilliantly caught by wicketkeeper Lokesh Bam off Nandan Yadav, before Harpeet Singh (1) fell lbw to Dhami, leaving the visitors reeling at 20 for three inside three overs.

Adeeb Usmani offered brief resistance with 30 off 22 balls, including two fours and two sixes, but Lamichhane trapped him lbw to reduce the UAE to 47 for four. Wickets continued to tumble, with Shahab Alam and Keswani dismissed in the eighth over, leaving the tourists tottering at 48 for six.

Nath and Arfan then added 64 for the seventh wicket to lift the innings to 112 before Lamichhane broke through again. Arfan, who made 32, was caught by Airee, and Khuzaima Tanveer followed for a duck. Nath reached his fifty with a six off Nandan Yadav and remained unbeaten on 53 from 42 balls, striking three fours and four sixes.

Lamichhane was outstanding, finishing with three for six from four overs, including a maiden. He ended the series with six wickets across two matches. Dhami chipped in with two for 20, while Nandan Yadav and Alam took one apiece.

Speaking after the match, Lamichhane praised Airee’s leadership and highlighted the depth of talent in Nepal cricket, noting the importance of domestic tournaments such as the Prime Minister Cup in nurturing young players.