Sharad Bheswakar scored an unbeaten 81 while Gyanendra Malla also scored a half-century as Nepal post 222 runs target against UAE in their World Cricket League Championship (WCLC) match on Wednesday.

Bheswakar slammed five boundaries for his 95-ball contribution while Malla hit six boundaries for 54 runs from 83 balls. The score is Bheswakar's highest individual score in List A matches.

Nepali openers made a cautious start after UAE won the toss and elected to bowl first at Sheikh Zayed Stadium in Abu Dhabi. Opener Dilip Nath added 16 before he was bowled in the 15 over. Following the departure of another opener Gyanendra Malla, Paras Khadka scored four boundaries for his 36-ball 20. Sompal Kami also contributed 20 runs with three boundaries from 19 balls.

Zahoor Khan claimed two wickets, while Mohammad Naveed, Ahmed Raza and Rohan Mustafa took a wicket each.

With just nine points from six rounds, Nepal currently sit at the sixth spot and are already out of contention for the automatic berth in the 2018 ICC World Cup Qualifiers. Only top four teams of the eight-team WCLC are guaranteed for automatic qualification.

The only way Nepal now can relish their 50-over World Cup dream is through next year’s WCL Division 2 in Namibia where the top two teams will make it to the Qualifiers.