Nepal and the UAE are set for a high‑stakes T20I in Kirtipur, which doubles as the final game of this short bilateral series and a crucial rehearsal ahead of upcoming ICC World Cup League 2 fixtures.
The Tribhuvan University International Cricket Ground usually offers a balanced surface with gradual assistance to spinners and enough pace for stroke‑play, especially in the early hours. Dew can become a factor later in the evening, often helping the chasing side grip the ball less and generate more bounce off the surface.
Weather forecasts for Kirtipur on April 21 suggest clear skies with mild temperature, creating near‑ideal conditions for a full 20‑over contest. There is no indication of rain, which means fans can expect uninterrupted cricket and a proper contest between bat and ball.
The opening T20I ended in a rain‑affected affair, with the UAE chasing down a modest DLS‑revised target of 78 in 10 overs to win by six wickets. That leaves Nepal trailing 0–1 in the two‑match series, so the hosts enter this decider under pressure to salvage pride and avoid a whitewash.
For the UAE, a win here would confirm series dominance and give crucial momentum heading into their ICC World Cup League 2 commitments. Both sides are using this series as live preparation for high‑pressure associate cricket, so results and individual performances will be closely watched by selectors and coaches.
Nepal began the first T20I most promisingly, posting 122/8 in their 18.5 overs before rain intervened. Sandeep Lamichhane’s three‑wicket burst showed the spin department can still dictate terms, but the batting lacked a sustained power‑hitting phase and the death‑overs finishing was slightly off‑color.
The UAE, on the other hand, have ridden on a balanced bowling attack combined with a deep, mobile batting lineup. They handled the revised DLS chase with controlled aggression, and their recent T20 outings against Nepal and other Associates indicate improved composure in tight situations.
NEP vs UAE Match Details
- Series: UAE Tour of Nepal 2026, 2nd T20I
- Team: Nepal vs United Arab Emirates
- Date: April 21, 2026
- Time: 4:45 PM Local (NPT) / 4:45 PM IST
- Venue: Tribhuvan University International Cricket Ground, Kirtipur, Nepal
NEP vs UAE Live streaming Info
Free live streams for Nepal vs UAE 2nd T20I are available on select platforms depending on your location.
In Nepal
Tune into Kantipur TV Max HD via cable or check local apps like NetTV for free access to the live broadcast. This is the official channel partnered with the Cricket Association of Nepal (CAN).
Globally
ICC.tv offers free registration and streaming in many regions, including Nepal and others without primary broadcasters—ideal for international fans seeking no-cost coverage.
India viewers can use FanCode (subscription-based), while avoid unofficial YouTube or social media links to dodge ads and risks. Check your region’s geo-blocks and use a VPN if needed for ICC.tv.
Live Streaming Info:
The 2nd T20 NEP vs UAE will be liveinfo on NPLT20League
Live Score Info:
Nepal vs United Arab Emirates 2026: All matches on ESPN and Cricbuzz have live scores.
Head‑to‑head across T20s, the record between Nepal and the UAE is tight and competitive, with both teams having registered wins in recent years. In the last five T20 meetings, Nepal has edged slightly ahead in terms of wins, but the UAE have shown resilience, keeping the overall contest close and often pushing the hosts to the final overs.
Head‑to‑head overview (T20Is)
-
Total T20I matches played: Around 11–12 T20Is (exact number varies slightly by source).
-
Wins: Nepal and UAE are roughly evenly split, with Nepal holding a narrow edge in recent head‑to‑head encounters.
-
Last five T20I meetings:
-
Nepal won a recent T20I in February 2026 at Chennai by seven wickets.
-
Earlier fixtures have seen the UAE win tightly contested contests, often defending totals in the 140–150 range.
-
This back‑and‑forth pattern suggests that no side has a clear psychological upper hand, and the result will hinge on individual match‑day execution rather than long‑term history.
Team analysis – Nepal
Nepal’s strength lies in their spin‑centric attack and the ability of players like Sandeep Lamichhane and Lalit Rajbanshi to bowl tight overs in the middle and powerplay. Their batting revolves around openers Kushal Bhurtel and Aasif Sheikh, with Dipendra Singh Airee and Kushal Malla providing the middle‑order punch.
However, the main weakness remains inconsistent top‑order starts and a tendency to collapse under pressure in the death overs. In the first T20I, Nepal’s finish was decent but not explosive enough to push the total towards 140–150, and the inability to restrict the UAE in the chase exposed gaps in disciplined bowling.
Key players to watch:
-
Sandeep Lamichhane – primary wicket‑taker and spinner; control in the middle overs will be paramount.
-
Kushal Bhurtel – explosive opener whose starts can set the tone.
-
Dipendra Singh Airee – captain, anchor, and finisher; his ability to absorb pressure and rotate strike will be crucial.
Team analysis – United Arab Emirates
The UAE bring a deeper, more varied batting order anchored by Muhammad Waseem, whose ability to adapt his game to different situations has been a hallmark of their recent T20 campaigns. Alishan Sharafu and Harpreet Singh Bhatia add flair and experience, while Adeeb Usmani behind the stumps offers stability and smart game‑management.
Their bowling attack mixes left‑arm quicks, medium‑pace options, and handy spin, giving captain Muhammad Waseem plenty of tactical variety. The UAE have shown they can defend totals in the 120–140 range and absorb pressure in chases, as seen in the first T20I where they chased down a small DLS target efficiently.
Key players to watch:
-
Muhammad Waseem (c) – heart of the batting and decision‑maker; composure in the chase will be key.
-
Alishan Sharafu – aggressive middle‑order batter and handy part‑time bowler.
-
Spin/bowling all‑rounders – players like Muhammad Arfan and others will be tasked with breaking partnerships on this Kirtipur surface.
Probable playing XIs
Nepal – Probable XI:
Aasif Sheikh (wk), Kushal Bhurtel, Kushal Malla, Dipendra Singh Airee (c), Sundeep Jora, Gulshan Jha, Aarif Sheikh, Sandeep Lamichhane, Lalit Rajbanshi, Hemant Dhami, Basir Ahamad.
United Arab Emirates – Probable XI:
Adeeb Usmani (wk), Akshdeep Nath, Alishan Sharafu, Haider Ali, Harpreet Singh Bhatia, Junaid Siddique, Khuzaima Bin Tanvir, Muhammad Arfan, Muhammad Waseem (c), Muhammad Zuhaib‑Zubair, Shoaib Khan.
These lineups balance attack, spin, and experience, and are based on recent squad lists and fantasy previews for this exact fixture.
Given the pitch conditions, dew factor, and recent form, this 2nd T20I is projected to be a tight contest decided by a small margin – likely within 10 runs or two wickets. The team that wins the toss and chooses to field first may have an edge, using the early‑evening conditions and the slightly slower surface to restrict the opposition and then chase under lights.
Nepal’s spinners should be able to contain for long spells, but their top order will need to deliver a 30–40 run improvement on the first T20I total to keep the UAE under real pressure. On balance, the UAE’s depth in batting and their proven ability to execute controlled chases give them a slight edge, but Nepal’s home advantage and crowd support could easily swing the result the other way.
For fans searching this match online, expect queries around “Nepal vs UAE 2nd T20I score”, “live score Nepal vs UAE”, “Nepal vs UAE head to head T20”, and “NEP vs UAE winning prediction” to dominate Google traffic as the game unfolds.