Kathmandu: The Nepali national cricket team made an encouraging start ahead of the ICC T20 World Cup 2026 by defeating familiar rivals United Arab Emirates (UAE) by seven wickets in their first warm-up match.

Chasing a target of 146 runs, Nepal faced early pressure after losing three wickets for just 45 runs. However, vice-captain Dipendra Singh Airi and Arif Sheikh steadied the innings with a match-winning unbeaten partnership of 108 runs for the fourth wicket, guiding the team to victory with 18 balls remaining.

After the early dismissal of openers Kushal Bhurtel, Ashif Sheikh and captain Rohit Poudel, Arif and Dipendra took control of the chase. Arif Sheikh played an aggressive knock of 61 not out from 37 balls, hitting two sixes and eight fours. Dipendra Singh Airi supported him well with an unbeaten 50 off 31 balls, which included one six and four boundaries.

Nepal reached the target in 17 overs, losing only three wickets. The composed yet attacking approach shown by the middle order under pressure has been viewed as a positive sign ahead of the World Cup.

Earlier, UAE, after losing the toss and batting first, scored 145 runs for the loss of six wickets in their allotted 20 overs. Shoaib Khan and Harshit Kaushik scored 38 and 31 runs respectively, but the Nepali bowlers kept tight control throughout the innings.

Karan KC and Sandeep Lamichhane took two wickets each, while Dipendra Singh Airi also claimed one wicket with the ball.
Nepal will now face Canada in their second practice match on Thursday. Their opening match of the ICC T20 World Cup 2026 is scheduled against England on February 8.