UAE clinch WCL Division Two title

SHARJAH: The United Arab Emirates (UAE) ended the campaign on a high by clinching the ICC World Cricket League Division Two title following a narrow 7-run win over Nepal in the final. Both teams had already confirmed their spots in the World Cup Qualifiers and met in the final by virtue of finishing in the top two. UAE had made an excellent start after opting to bat first with Rohan Mustafa adding 109 for the opening wicket with Ashfaq Ahmed. Even though Mustafa departed after making a half-century, Ahmed went onto register a ton and was dismissed for 114 before Shaiman Anwar provided the finishing touches with a quickfire 40 off 24.Chasing 278 to clinch the title, Nepal had lost both the openers within the first ten overs but skipper Paras Khadka kept the scorecard moving. He was involved in a couple of half-century stands to keep his side in the hunt before Amir Hayat broke through the middle order. Khadka kept waging a lone battle in which he hit eight sixes but his unbeaten century couldn’t prevent a narrow seven-run loss. Sandeep Lamichhane was named the player of the tournament.

Brief scores: UAE 277/4 in 50 overs (Ashfaq Ahmed 114, Rohan Mustafa 51; Sandeep Lamichhane 1-39). Nepal 270/8 in 50 overs (Paras Khadka 112*, Dipendra Singh Airee 35; Amir Hayat 4-53).