Drought over as UAE turn attention to Nepal on path to CWC27

Good signs for the UAE as they break a six-month League 2 drought with an impressive showing against Oman.

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UAE captain Muhammad Waseem can feel momentum is building for his side following a drought-breaking victory over Oman in their ICC Men's Cricket World Cup League 2 contest in Kirtipur on Monday.

Young opener Aryansh Sharma smashed a superb century to setup the victory, while newcomer and Player of the Match Ajay Kumar delivered the telling blow during the run chase as UAE held on for a narrow 25-run triumph at the Tribhuvan University International Cricket Ground.

It was the UAE's first victory in the League 2 competition since November and keeps them in contention for an automatic qualification berth for the ICC Men's Cricket World Cup Qualifier event ahead of next year's tournament in South Africa, Zimbabwe and Namibia.

Waseem was understandably thrilled with the efforts from his side and expects them to take plenty of confidence from the outing as they gear up for the next test against Nepal at the same venue on Friday.

“Finally, we have two points, and I am very happy with the performance of my team,” Waseem told The National after the match.

“I don’t believe in changes after the first game (when they lost to Nepal by 37 runs in the tri-series opener). Anyone can have a bad game.

“We got a good start from Adeeb (Usmani) and Aryansh, and the way Harpreet (Singh) finished the innings deserves a lot of credit. To get 268, that was a good total for us.

“We said simple things in the team meeting. We have very good players right now. I told them we have to bat to our abilities, and we saw today the way we can bat. I am very happy with the way everyone contributed to the victory.”

Skipper Waseem's finest show | Player Highlights | T20WC 2026

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The win was also significant for Kumar, with the 29-year-old tasting success for the first time in his short international career following losses to Nepal in the only two previous fixtures he has featured in.

Kumar has made the most of his recent chance, with the left-armer collecting three wickets against Nepal in his first League 2 appearance and then bettering that with his six-wicket haul against Oman.

“I would like to dedicate this to my family, they supported me a lot since the beginning, to play cricket,” Kumar said.

“I come from a remote area where cricket is not played that much, and it was thanks to their support that I have been able to play.”

ICC CWC League 2, 2023-27News