Debutant Zafri Zafardeen’s three-wicket haul proved in vain as the UAE suffered a 149-run defeat to Nepal in their U-19 ACC Premier League opener.

The 18-year-old all-rounder was the stand-out bowler with figures of 3-42 as Nepal were restricted to 199 after Raju Rijal’s half-century.

Despite chasing an achievable target at Bayuemas Oval, Kuala Lumpur, the UAE batsmen were all out for 50 inside 21 overs.

Only openers, captain Waruna Perera (32) and Zafardeen (12), reached double figures as five players were out for a duck. Zafardeen admitted the batsmen had no answer to the Nepalese spinners.

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“We did well in the field with our bowling and fielding,” he said. “We felt 200 was a score we could chase. Waruna and myself gave the team a good start, doing well against their fast-bowlers, but they brought on their spinners very early and our batsmen couldn’t cope with them.

“With the wicket quite different to what we were training on in Dubai, the batsmen couldn’t adapt to their spinners.”

The UAE have little time to rest as they meet Saudi Arabia today, and Zafardeen feels his team-mates must remain calm to claim their first win of the campaign.

“We need to keep a clear mind and not over-complicate things. We have to play more straight shots in the rest of the games and not make rash decisions.”

He added: “I’m really happy to get three wickets on my debut. I was chosen mainly as a batsman but I’m happy my coach Aaqib (Javed) had faith in my bowling as well. “I’m glad I was able to repay that faith.”