Kathmandu, April 14 -- Rain dealt hammer blow in Nepal's ambition of making their eighth U-19 World Cup after they lost to the United Arab Emirates by one run under Duckworth/Lewis method in the Asia Qualifier in Malaysia on Saturday.

In a six-team round robin league where only the table toppers qualify for the next year's age group cricket's global show-piece in South Africa, the defeat has seemingly evaporated Nepal's hopes of making it through with UAE now posing favourites for their remaining three matches. UAE, who had beaten Malaysia by five wickets on Friday, will now meet Kuwait, Oman and tournament minnows Singapore.

With identical eight-wicket victories over Oman and Singapore, Kuwait are the surprise table toppers on net run ...