Nepal left with mathematical chance of advancing after PNG defeat

KATHMANDU, July 17: After facing three humiliating defeats in a row, Nepal has only mathematical chances of finishing among the top four in Group A during the ongoing ICC World Twenty20 Qualifiers. So far, Nepal has registered one win, three losses and one no result in five matches of the tournament being held in Ireland.

Nepal's latest setback was an eight wicket defeat by Papua New Guinea on Friday.

Only top four teams from each group will get a chance to fight for places in the ICC World Twenty20 scheduled to be held in India next year.

On Friday, PNG chased 94 runs target in 14.1 overs losing only two wickets and leaving Nepal's fate on the outcome of other fixtures of Group A.

Assad Vala (32 runs off 44 balls) and Kila Pala (22 off 16) remained not out to finish the run chase for PNG, which ensured its place among the top four in the group stage. Tony Ura added 32 runs off 21 balls for PNG.

Sompal Kami and Basant Regmi claimed one wicket each for Nepal.

Earlier, in continuation of its poor batting performance, Nepal was bowled out for 93 runs in 19.4 overs after being asked to bat first against PNG at Malahide, Dublin, Ireland.

Pradeep Airee (29 runs off 28 balls), Sagar Pun (15 off 12) and Sharad Vesawkar (11 off 15) were the Nepali batsmen to reach double figures.

Nepal started its innings in an impressive manner adding 14 runs in the first two overs, but opener Sagar surrendered against Loa Nou in 2.2 overs after hitting three fours.

Pradeep played some cracking shots to anchor the Nepali innings before being sent to the pavilion in the ninth over by John Reva, leaving Nepal struggling to put up a fighting total.

Since then, Nepal could not bat freely against disciplined bowling and fielding of PNG.

Nepal lost four wickets with 56 runs on board within 9.3 overs as Gyanendra Malla (2 off 7) and skipper Paras Khadka (5 off 7) could not survive for long.

Middle-order batsmen and tail-enders also did not click in the batting as Sharad (11) Binod Bhandari (4 off 2), Rajesh Pulami (7 off 19), Basant Regmi (1 off 3), Sompal Kami (4 off 9) and Karan KC (0) put up disappointing performances.

Mahuru Dai, Asad Vala and John Reva of PNG bagged two wickets each.

Now, Nepal needs to defeat Jersey on Saturday to keep its mathematical chances of finishing on top alive.

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Nepal's chance of top 4 finish still alive

Nepal, which collected only three points from five matches, still has chances of finishing top four in Group A in the ICC World Twenty20 Qualifier. However, Nepal's fate depends on the results of other teams and a win against Jersey on Saturday.

Nepal meets Jersey in its last group stage match. A win over Jersey will earn five points for Nepal. And Nepal could remain on hunt for the top four finish provided favorable outcome from other matches.

Most importantly Hong Kong must face defeats in the remaining two matches. Besides, USA must also beat Hong Kong on Saturday and face defeat against Papua New Guinea on Sunday. Similarly, Namibia must also defeat Hong Kong on Sunday to keep Nepal's qualification hope alive.

Fixtures of Group A that will determine Nepal's fate
Jersey Vs Nepal on July 18 (Nepal)
Hong Kong Vs United States of America on July 18 (USA)
Papua New Guinea Vs United States of America July 19 (PNG)
Hong Kong Vs Namibia July 19 (Namibia)
(Nepal could finish on top four in teams in brackets win their matches)

PHOTOS: ICC/SPORTSFILE