DUBAI, Jan. 26 -- Nepal almost pulled off a sensational victory in defence of a low total in a three-wicket loss to the United Arab Emirates (UAE) in the first of their three-match One-Day International (ODI) Series here at the ICC Academy Oval on Friday.

In Dubai's weekend, around 1,000 Nepali supporters turned up to back their team but the excitement vanished in no time after the UAE made early inroads on a grassy pitch to bundle out Nepal for a below-par 113 in 33.5 overs. After early breakthroughs from Sompal Kami and Karan KC, Nepal restricted UAE to 73-7 but a testing eighth wicket partnership between Imran Haider and Amir Hayat steered the hosts to 116-7 in 32.1 overs.

KC removed Ashfaq Ahmed (5) and Kami got rid of Chirag Suri (...