Paras Khadka becomes Nepal’s first centurion in series win against UAE

Set with a 255-run target, Paras’ 109-ball 115 led Nepal’s run chase as they won the match with 32 balls remaining.

Paras Khadka smashed his maiden century and became the first player from Nepal to register an ODI hundred as they beat UAE by four wickets to clinch the three-match series in Dubai on Monday.

"This is the beginning." @paras77 reacts to Nepal's historic ODI series win and praises their fans who cheered them to victory today in Dubai! 🙌 #UAEvNEP pic.twitter.com/YeKj97KgpR

— ICC (@ICC) January 28, 2019

Set with a 255-run target, Paras’ 109-ball 115 led Nepal’s run chase as they won the match with 32 balls remaining. The 31-year-old’s stay at the crease was decorated with 15 boundaries and one six as he laid the foundation for the run chase.

The Nepal fans go WILD after their side secured a historic ODI series win in Dubai! 🎉 #UAEvNEP pic.twitter.com/oKFwYBgsOH

— ICC (@ICC) January 28, 2019

Paras departed in the 39^th over after he was trapped lbw by Qadeer Ahmed, but the damage was already done with Nepal needing just 40 runs to win. Nepal’s highest run-scorer was opener Gyanendra Malla, who made 31. None of the other batsmen registered any significant contributions after getting off to good starts.

Our first ODI series win..Amazing team effort,spirit and commitment from the boys and the management..!!
Thank you everyone for the blessings,support and gratitude..
Jai Nepal..!!!! pic.twitter.com/8VuYkN39dj

— Paras Khadka (@paras77) January 28, 2019

Imran Haider and Ashfaq Ahmed returned with two wickets apiece for UAE.

Earlier, a 100-run partnership for the fifth wicket between Shaiman Anwar (87) and CP Rizwan (45) helped UAE recover from a horrible start. Their openers departed without troubling the scorers. UAE slipped to 47/4 in the 21^st over and looked in danger of registering a paltry target. However, Anwar, who top scored with 87 and Rizwan hammered some lusty blows to steer the innings. Anwar’s 70-ball innings was studded with nine boundaries and two hits over the fence, while Rizwan carted five boundaries in his 76-ball stay at the crease.

In the end, UAE saw plenty of fireworks with Mohammad Boota smashing five boundaries and four sixes to remain unbeaten on 59 off 31 that saw the hosts past the 250-run mark.

For Nepal, Khadka and Karan KC picked two wickets each.

Brief scores: Nepal 255/6 (Paras Khadka 115; Imran Haider 2/50, Ashfaq Ahmed 2/55) beat UAE 254/6 (Shaiman Anwar 87, Mohammad Boota 59*, Khadka 2/44, Karan KC 2/46) by four wickets