Kathmandu : Host Nepal has defeated United Arab Emirates by seven wickets in a match of the tri-nation T20 series.

Chasing a 141-run target set by UAE in the first match held at Mulpani Cricket Stadium on Wednesday, Nepal reached the target in 18.5 overs losing three wickets.

Captain Rohit Paudel topped the score with 51 runs including five fours off 40 deliveries and remained not out. Similarly, Dipendra Singh Airee hit 34 runs including three fours and one six off 23 balls while Aasif Sheikh contributed 23 runs. Likewise, Kushal Bhurtel and Kushal Malla made 14 and 11 runs, respectively. 

Ali Naseer and Nilansh Keswani grabbed one wicket each for UAE. Earlier, invited to bat first after losing the toss, UAE notched up 140 runs losing 7 wickets in the allotted 20 overs.

Basil Hameed topped the score with 51 runs followed by Ali Naseer and Muhammad Waseem with 32 and 17 runs respectively. Similarly, Asif Khan made 15 runs while the other batsmen did not score double-digit runs.

In reply, Karan KC took three wickets, Gulsan Jha grabbed two while Sompal Kami and Abinash Bohara claimed one wiket each for Nepal.

Nepal will take on Hong Kong tomorrow (Thursday).