The UAE posted a challenging total of 175-5 before bowling out Nepal for 107 runs in 18.4 overs. Photo courtesy: CAN

So near and yet so far.

Nepal’s batting weakness was on full display yet again as they failed to chase 175 runs posted by their old rivals the United Arab Emirates, thereby leaving the dream of making it to the biggest stage of Twenty20 cricket, as they lost the decisive match by 68 runs
The UAE were the last hurdles to pass for Nepal on Tuesday in the ICC World T20 Global Qualifiers in Muscat after an emphatic win over Canada a day before.
Electing to bat first, the well-known rivals UAE posted a challenging total of 175-5 before bowling out Nepal for 107 runs in 18.4 overs after Nepali batters failed to click at crucial junctures as the Middle East side inflicted a second defeat on Nepal within two weeks.
Only two finalists of the tournament from the Qualifiers 'A' were assured berths in the main tournament that is set to take place in October and November in Australia. The outcome of the day meant the UAE and Ireland, who edged hosts Oman by 56 runs in the day's other semis, booked tickets to the finals.
Team Nepal, studded with next generation cricketers, had displayed a lot of promise winning all three group stage games. En-route to the semi-final, they edged hosts Oman by 39 runs in the first group stage game before a 136-run win over the Philippines and an eight-wicket win over Canada.
In the semi-final at the Al Amerat Cricket Ground on Tuesday, Nepal made a disastrous start to their innings chasing a huge target. They lost three batters with just 14 runs on board, as opener Aasif Sheikh and Lokesh Bam were both out for ducks in the very first over.
Sheikh was trapped leg before by Junaid Siddique in the fourth ball of the innings and Bam was caught at point in the following delivery by Muhammad Waseem. The other opener Kushal Bhurtel, the only century scorer for Nepal in a group match against the Philippines, was dismissed in the fourth over for paltry seven runs.
Dipendra Singh Airee who came to bat at number four contributed ball-a-run 38, the highest in the innings, raising some hope for Nepal before he was trapped leg before by Ahmed Raza. He hit three fences.
Former captain Gyanendra Malla and Aarif Sheikh were the other batters for Nepal to touch double digit figures scoring 20 runs and 11 runs, respectively.
Left arm spinner Raza was the pick of the UAE bowling, claiming five wickets in his four-over spell. The player-of-the-match conceded 19 runs. Junaid Siddique grabbed three wickets giving away 27 runs in his four overs.
Nepal’s captain Sandeep Lamichhane said that everything went wrong Tuesday.
“We have been going through ups and downs throughout the tournament on the batting front. The wicket was favourable to chase the target and the bowlers also made a good comeback in the latter half,” said the skipper. “But it was one of those bad days. We played one of the finest crickets in the tournament, but everything went wrong today. Moving forward, we must be able to chase 170-180 to be a good cricket team.”
Earlier, UAE lost Chirag Suri just for four runs but his opening partner Muhammad Waseem came to the rescue of the team, smashing a 48-ball 70. He hit four fences and four sixes before being caught by Aarif off Abinash Bohara in the 17th over. Waeem shared a crucial 66-run partnership for the second wicket with Vriitya Aravind and made 64 runs with the third wicket Muhammad Usman giving the UAE 136 runs on board at the loss of three wickets.
Aravind played a crucial knock of 23-ball 46 to better their run rate. He smashed five boundaries and three sixes before being bowled by captain Sandeep Lamichhane. Usman scored 17 off 24. Zawar Farid was the other batter to score in double digits contributing 11 runs.
Nepal's Jitendra Mukhiya and Abinash Bohara claimed three wickets apiece. Mukhiya conceded 35 runs in his three-over spell and Bohara gave away 45 runs in his four-over bowling.
Nepal's maiden final appearance came in 2014 in Bangladesh when they finished third among eight participants of their group in qualifiers. They defeated Hong Kong and Afghanistan in the first stage of the finals before losing to hosts Bangladesh.
But in the following two World T20s — 2016 and 2021 — the mettle shown in the maiden appearance disappeared as they struggled on both occasions in the qualifiers. In the qualifiers for the 2016 showpiece, Nepal finished last in their group of seven teams main qualifiers winning just one game. For the 2021 Cup, Nepal bowed out from the Asian Regional Qualifiers finals in 2018 losing to Qatar and Singapore—comparatively weaker opponents–losing T20 matches for the first time.
In the ongoing Qualifiers, the young Nepali team were one of the tournament favourites and were so close yet so far to the finals.
Former national coach Jagat Tamata said the current national team have a bright future.
"Analysing the performance in the tournament, Nepal were one of the deserving candidates for the final, but the outcome of the crucial match did not go in our favour. I think they got nervous due to the big target. On the other hand, the UAE played well and showed courage to play an attacking game despite losing an early wicket," said Tamata.
He, however, hailed the new faces for their show.
"They have the potential to go a long way if they are trained well and given the desired exposure,” said Tamata.
Nepal will now play in the third place playoff against Oman on Thursday.
Nepal coach Pududu Dassanayake, who arrived in Nepal on December 28 last year to take charge of the team, said: “We did all the hard work and we were almost there, we were just one win away.”
“But when I analyse back, the boys have worked very hard in the last six weeks (after I took over) and they played their best. The credit goes to the UAE; they played high quality cricket throughout the tournament,” said Dassanayake. “It is one of the games that is hard to take. From Nepal's point of view, we have a lot to learn. We have to fix batting and bowling. When raw talents come to such tournaments, they need experience. Next few games…we should focus on building youngsters.”