KATHMANDU: The lower order batsmen Rohit Kumar Paduel and Sompal Kami combined for an unbeaten 89-run partnership for the sixth wicket to propel Nepal to five-wicket victory over Hong Kong in the last group fixture of the ongoing ICC World Cup Qualifiers at Bulawayo, in Zimbabwe, on Monday.

Nepal, Afghanistan and Hong Kong all have two points, however, Afghanistan qualified to the super sixes on better run rate to Nepal, who sit on fourth position in five team group.

All up, Nepal needed 48.2 overs to bowl out Hong Kong for 153 runs and cantered the total in just 40.4 overs.

Nepal made an whirlwind start to the innings in pursuit of 154 runs for victory.

Openers Gyanendra Mall and wicket keeper Anil Kumar Sah combined for 41 runs for the opening partnership before Sah for for 26 runs in 9.5 overs.

However, Nepal lost three quick wickets and teetering at 61-4 in 18th over. Man of the Match Roshit Kumar Paudel finshied the match in style with a crunching drive for four runs on 40.4 overs.

Sompal Kami brisk not our 37 runs of just 40 ball with five fours resurrected the fragile Nepali innings before combining for a match winning partnership with Paudel.

Hong Kong's Aizaz Khan and Ehsan Khan took two Nepali scalps each while Tanwir Afzal chipped in with a wicket.

Nepal will take on Papua New Guinea on next fixture.

The winner of this tie will play against the winner between Hong Kong and Netherlands for seventh place and last spot left to be grasped for ODI status.

Nepal to chase 154 runs for victory against Hong Kong in WC qualifiers

KATHMANDU: Nepal are set to chase down 154 runs for victory against Hong Kong in final fixture of the ICC Cricket World Cup Qualifiers game in Bulawayo of Zimbabwe on Monday.

Nepal are playing for pride as it had failed to qualify for super six after losing all its previous three encounters. However, Nepal will remain in the ICC World Cricket League Division I.

Hong Kong in a must win situation to qualify for super sixes and ICC One Day International status for the next four years. Skipper Babar Kayat won the toss in the crucial encounter and opted to bat first and posted a meagre 154 runs all out in 48.2 overs.

Nizakat Khan top scored with 47 runs off 84 balls with four fours and a maximum. Babar Hayat contributed 20 runs before middle order collapsed in a dramatic fashion.

Lower order batsman Ehsan Khan scored 21 runs off 53 balls before Karan KC wrapped up the innings by cleaning up Ehsan Nawaz for 13 runs in 48.2 overs of their allotted 50 overs.

Star spinner Sandeep Lamichanne triggered Hong Kong's middle order collapse after Anshuman Rath nicked behind to wicket keeper Sah.

Hong Kong's innings never gained any momentum after Nepali bowlers kept on taking wickets at regular intervals. At one stage Hong Kong were reeling at 85-5.

Lamichanne was pick of the Nepali bowler with 10-4-17-3.

Speedster Karan KC and Basanta Regmi bagged two wickets each while Sompal Kami and Lalit Rajbanshi chipped in with a wicket each.

Nepal have to achieve Hong Kong's total in 8 overs to better Afghanistan run rate to progress into super six. Nepal still have hope of gaining ODI status depending in other today's fixtures.

If Netherlands fails to beat West Indies today, UAE will qualify for the super sixes leaving one spot to grab for ODI status. After the completion of qualifiers four teams will get the ODI status for the next four years.

West Indies, Ireland, Afghanistan and Zimbabwe are full members, Netherlands have already gained the ODI status are being the champions of ICC WCLD I.

If Nepal beat Hong Kong today, Afghanistan will qualify for super sixes. The team finishing seventh will obtain ODI status.

The team finishing fourth in Group A will take on the bottom table team of other group and vice versa. The winners will clash for the ultimate seventh spot finish.