A dominant Nepal side turned up with a complete performance to level the series in an emphatic fashion against the UAE. Both teams will switch attention to the 50-over format hereon. Remember, the qualification to the ICC Men's World Cup 2027 will be at stake when they clash in that format later this week.
On that note, it’s time to wrap things up from our live coverage. This is Arijit Kundu signing off, alongside Darpan Tikiya, with Danish Elahi on scoring duties. We’ll be back soon with more cricketing action. Until then, take care and keep loving the game.
Both the captains collect the trophy and pose for a picture. Alas, that is the end of the presentation. There is no Player of the Series award. Sandeep Lamichhane, who registered figures of 6-0-14-5 across two matches, will feel missed out.
Khushal Bhurtel (Player of the match): "(On today's performance) Being a senior player, my responsibility is to bat long and finish the innings. Today I did that. Very happy.
(Feeling in the lead up to the match) After the World Cup, I have been batting well in the nets. I played only 3 games of the PM Cup. But I have been. batting well in the nets. Unlucky to miss out yesterday, but today was good.
(On Sandeep Lamichhane and other bowlers) He is the player of the series for us. He bowled really well. All credit to him. Hemant also had a good debut. Alam bowled well too.
(On the upcoming ODIs) Hopefully, we do really good in the ODIs as well."
Player of the Match: Kushal Bhurtel
Dipendra Singh Airee (Nepal Captain): "[On the team performance] Kushal played very well. We were very good in our holding, and therefore, the overall performance was good.
[inconsistency in series] In the first game, we were batting first and faltered. In the second game, we chased, and eventually our batting bloomed today.
[Is this Sandeep's best performance?] He prides to play for Nepal. He loves to win matches for us. And his bowling was outstanding to say the least today. Hemant Dhami played in the NPL and has loads of experience, and Santosh is very young, and on that account, he has done well with the ball.
[On captaining Nepal] Being the captain of Nepal, it's always an honour for me. I have captained in the league as well. That's why really happy now."
Muhammad Waseem (UAE captain): "(What went wrong?) To be honest, we really enjoyed. The facilities are good. Congratulations to them. Today, we did not bat well. But sorry to say, the umpiring went against us.
(On his team) Right now, the way the team is playing, they are in good shape. We have a talented side. It is a part of the game, somedays will go in your favour, somedays they will not go in your favour. We will bounce back in the ODIs. Looking forward to them."
The match officials get a trophy each as a souvenier, so do the UAE team.
8:08 PM IST, 8:13 PM local time: Time for the presentation!!!
Highest Score by a Nepalese Opening Batter in T20Is:
107 (55) - Gyanendra Malla vs Bhutan, Kirtipur, 2019
106* (52) - Paras Khadka vs Singapore, Singapore, 2019
104* (61) - Kushal Bhurtel vs Philippines, Al Amerat, 2022
86* (50) - Paras Khadka vs Malaysia, Kuala Lumpur, 2019
84* (57) - Kushal Bhurtel vs UAE, Kirtipur, 2026 (Today)*
Biggest T20I Win by Balls Remaining for Nepal at Kirtipur: