The much-anticipated nepal vs uae clash got underway on Monday, April 20, 2026, at the Tribhuvan University Ground in Kirtipur, marking a historic moment for cricket in Nepal. This opening fixture of the two-match T20I series is particularly special as it is Nepal’s first-ever international match played under floodlights at home. The occasion has been branded as the “Under Lights T20I Series,” with matches scheduled on consecutive evenings.
Led by all-rounder Dipendra Singh Airee, the Nepal national team—popularly known as the Rhinos—entered the series with renewed energy and strong fan support. Meanwhile, Rohit Paudel has been appointed captain for Nepal’s upcoming Cricket World Cup League 2 matches involving both the United Arab Emirates and Oman.
Nepal Opt to Bat First After Winning Toss
In the opening nepal vs uae encounter, Nepal won the toss and chose to bat first, aiming to take advantage of familiar conditions in Kirtipur. Openers Arjun Saud and Kushal Bhurtel walked out with confidence, facing UAE pacer Junaid Siddique, who took the new ball.
The Nepal innings began on a positive note, with both openers finding boundaries early and collecting 10 runs in the first over. However, UAE quickly struck back. Siddique responded in his next over by dismissing Saud for a quick 13 off 11 balls, providing the visitors their first breakthrough.
Powerplay Struggles for Nepal
As the powerplay progressed, Nepal’s batting momentum slowed. The nepal vs uae match saw a couple of setbacks for the hosts during overs two to six. Sundeep Jora, who looked promising, was dismissed by Haider Ali after scoring just 6 runs off 6 deliveries.
Kushal Bhurtel, who had started aggressively with 16 runs off 9 balls, was run out in an unfortunate mix-up, thanks to sharp fielding from Harpreet Singh. These quick wickets left Nepal at 42/3 after 7 overs, putting pressure on the middle order.
Captain Dipendra Singh Airee then stepped in to stabilize the innings, joined by Kushal Malla, who adopted a cautious approach to rebuild the innings after early damage.
Playing XIs for Nepal vs UAE 1st T20I
Both teams fielded strong lineups for this important series opener.
United Arab Emirates XI:
Adeeb Usmani (wk), Muhammad Waseem (c), Alishan Sharafu, Harpreet Singh Bhatia, Sohaib Khan, Haider Ali, Khuzaima Tanveer, Muhammad Arfan, Junaid Siddique, Akshdeep Nath, Muhammad Zuhaib
Nepal XI:
Arjun Saud (wk), Basir Ahamad, Dipendra Singh Airee (c), Gulsan Jha, Hemant Dhami, Kushal Bhurtel, Kushal Malla, Nandan Yadav, Sandeep Lamichhane, Sher Malla, Sundeep Jora
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Match Timing and Live Streaming Details
The nepal vs uae 1st T20I began at 4:45 PM IST, with the toss taking place 30 minutes earlier. Fans in Nepal can watch the match live on Kantipur TV Max. For viewers in India and other countries, the match is available for streaming via the MSM Video app.
However, the streaming platform requires a paid subscription, priced at $9.99 per month (approximately ₹929). The cost has sparked discussions among cricket fans, especially considering the relatively short series. Many believe that such pricing could limit accessibility and affect the global reach of emerging cricketing nations like Nepal.
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Growing Popularity of Nepal Cricket
Despite challenges around accessibility, Nepal cricket continues to gain popularity, especially after the team’s spirited performances in recent international tournaments, including the ICC T20 World Cup. The nepal vs uae series is another step forward in Nepal’s cricketing journey, showcasing their ability to host international matches under lights.
As the match progresses, all eyes remain on whether Nepal can recover from their early setbacks or if UAE will capitalize on their strong start. The historic occasion, combined with competitive cricket, ensures that this nepal vs uae series remains one to watch for fans across the globe.
