Nepal and UAE clashed fiercely in the Super Six match of the ICC T20 World Cup Asia & EAP Qualifier 2025. Rohit Paudel and Muhammad Waseem’s teams gave their all to win. Read the full match review, key moments, and qualification impact here.
🏏 Match Preview: High-Voltage Super Six Encounter
Today was a special day for cricket fans in Nepal and the UAE!
October 12, 2025, Al Amerat Cricket Ground, Oman, hosted the ICC T20 World Cup Asia & EAP Qualifier Super Six Match 2, a thrilling contest between Nepal and the United Arab Emirates (UAE).
Both teams are in the race for World Cup qualification, and this match was a do-or-die situation for them. Nepal, whose recent form has been tremendous, looked confident against the UAE—but the experienced Emirates team was no less.
🇳🇵 Nepal Team Squad and Strategy
Nepal’s squad was the perfect combination of youth and experience:
Captain: Rohit Paudel
Key Players: Kushal Bhurtel, Aasif Sheikh (WK), Dipendra Singh Airee, Gulsan Jha, Sandeep Lamichhane, Sompal Kami
Nepal built its bowling attack around Lamichhane’s spin and Gulsan’s pace. Paudel said before the match, “We have come only to win. We will treat every ball like a final.”
🇦🇪 UAE Team and Game Plan
UAE captain Muhammad Waseem said at the toss that his focus was on consistency. Some key performers in the team were:
Captain: Muhammad Waseem
Star Players: Alishan Sharafu, Basil Hameed, Aryansh Sharma (WK), Ayaan Afzal Khan, Junaid Siddique
UAE relied on their batting depth and planned to get off to a fast start in the powerplay.
⚔️ Toss & First Innings Highlights
UAE won the toss and decided to bat first.
Waseem and Aryansh Sharma added 45 runs in their opening partnership, but Sompal Kami clean bowled Waseem in the 6th over.
Sandeep Lamichhane showed his magic in the middle overs – he gave away just 20 runs in 4 overs and took 2 crucial wickets. UAE was heading for a target of 160+, but Nepal’s bowlers stopped the run flow with tight bowling in the final overs.
UAE Scorecard (Approx.):
Muhammad Waseem – 32 (21)
Alishan Sharafu – 41 (35)
Basil Hameed – 28 (18)
Total – 153/7 (20 overs)
🚀 Nepal’s Chase – A Little Drama, a Little Dhamaka
Nepal started the chase confidently. Kushal Bhurtel hit three sixes in the powerplay and scored 35 runs. But his dismissal in the seventh over increased the pressure.
Aasif Sheikh and Rohit Paudel batted sensibly in the middle overs, but UAE’s spinners maintained a tight line. After 15 overs, Nepal needed 38 runs in 30 balls.
Then came Dipendra Singh Airee’s explosive performance—he scored 36* runs in just 17 balls, turning the match in Nepal’s favor. Airee hit two sixes and one four in one over, sending the crowd into a frenzy!
Nepal Scorecard (Approx):
Kushal Bhurtel – 35 (22)
Rohit Paudel – 29 (25)
Dipendra Singh Airee – 36* (17)
Total – 157/5 (18.5 overs)
Result: 🇳🇵Nepal won by 5 wickets
🏆 Top Performers of the Match
Player Team Performance
Dipendra Singh Airee Nepal 36* (17), Match Finisher
Sandeep Lamichhane Nepal 4-0-20-2
Alishan Sharafu UAE 41 (35)
Gulsan Jha Nepal 2/25
🔥 Turning Point
The turning point of the match was the 18th over, when Airee added 14 runs in the over off Basil Hameed. After that, Nepal only needed a run-a-ball, and the crowd erupted in chants of “Nepal! Nepal!”
💬 Post-Match Reactions
Rohit Paudel (Nepal Captain):
“This win was very important for us. The team maintained composure, and Airee showed outstanding finishing.”
Muhammad Waseem (UAE Captain):
“We released the pressure in a few overs. Nepal deserved the win, but we are still in the qualification race.”
📊 Qualification Scenario
With this win, Nepal has strengthened its position in the Super Six table. If they win the next match as well, direct qualification for the T20 World Cup 2026 is possible.
UAE will now need to win their remaining matches by large margins.
🎉 Fans and Social Media Reaction
Nepal fans celebrated the victory on Twitter and Facebook.
“Airee the finisher! Proud moment for Nepal!” – this hashtag trended.
UAE fans also saluted their team’s spirit, saying, “We’ll bounce back stronger.”
🧠 Expert Opinion
Cricket analysts said that Nepal’s bowling attack is the most consistent in the Asia qualifiers. The pair of Sandeep Lamichhane and Gulshan Jha can challenge any team in the world.
Team discipline and energy are both at a high level—this could lead them to qualification.
🗣️ Final Words
This match in the ICC T20 World Cup Qualifier 2025 was a reminder that Associate Cricket is now ready for higher stages.
Nepal’s victory gave them not only points but also confidence. UAE also put up a strong fight, but a slight execution gap cost them dearly.
Fans are now waiting for the next Super Six encounter—will Nepal maintain its winning streak, or will a new surprise team emerge?
📌 Conclusion
Nepal beat UAE by 5 wickets
Airee and Lamichhane shine
Nepal’s World Cup dream alive
UAE now needs must-win matches