Nepali team, which suffered two back-to-back humiliating defeats despite earning three points from first two matches, will be looking for winning results against PNG to keep afloat its qualifying hopes for ICC World Twenty20 to be held in India next year.After defeating USA by six wickets and sharing points with Namibia due to bad weather, Nepal faced eight-wicket defeat against co-host and defending champion Ireland and five-wicket defeat against Hong Kong in last two matches. The defeat dealt serious blow to Nepal's ambition for World Cup finals. Now not only winning results in remaining two group matches will be sufficient for Nepal to book place for India, it also needs a favorable outcome from other teams of the group A.
The defeat against Hong Kong on Wednesday leaves Nepal on fifth position with three points from four matches played in Group A. Ireland leads the standings with six points from equal number of matches. Papua New Guinea (5), Namibia (3) and Hong Kong (3) are second to fourth with a match advantage over Nepal. Teams finishing on top four positions at the end of group stage will only be eligible to fight for a spot in the World Cup finals to be held next year in India.
Having five points from three matches, PNG looks to be in comfort zone as it edged past tournament favorite Ireland by two-wicket on Wednesday. Similarly PNG recorded 24 runs wins against Jersey in its opener and shared a point with Hong Kong following bad weather.
Although, PNG is in strong position in group, Nepal has an upper hand.
Nepal faced 35 runs defeat in group stage in the qualifier in 2012 held in the UAE and thrashed the same opponent by six wickets in the seventh place play-off. Nepal also defeated PNG by seven wickets in group stage during 2013 qualifier held in the UAE.
Finishing third in the group stage in 2013 qualifier, Nepal made its maiden world cup held in Bangladesh last year.
Nepal will play its last group match against Jersey at the same venue on Saturday.
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