Nepal top Eastern Sub Regional C'ship, qualify to Regional

KATHMANDU: Nepal have topped the group of Eastern Sub Regional Championship 'B' and qualified for the Regional tournament for upcoming 2020 ICC World Twenty20 Qualifier.

Nepal along with Singapore and the hosts Malaysia have progressed into the next round. In today's contest, Nepal elected to bowl first in an overcast condition against Singapore.

Nepal bowled out S'pore for a paltry score of 91 runs as star leg-spinner Sandeep Lamichanne picked up four scalps to set a new national record of clinching 24 wickets in a competition.

In reply, Nepal lost early wicket of Anil Sah before rain interrupted the proceeding. Both the teams settled with a point each.

With a better run rate to S'pore Nepal topped the group with 11 points from five games.

Earlier, Nepal had registered comprehensive victories against the hosts Malaysia, Thailand, Myanmar, Bhutan and China.

Meanwhile, Nepal, Singapore and Malaysia have qualified from Eastern region C'ship while Qatar, Kuwait and the United Arab Emirates have progressed from Western region C'ship.

Top two teams from the regional finals will enter into the 2020 ICC World Twenty20 Qualifier.

The ICC is organising a total of 12 regional qualifiers with 62 teams competing during 2018 in five regions — three groups each in Africa and Europe and two apiece in Americas, Asia, East Asia Pacific.

Top 25 sides from these qualifiers will contest in five regional finals in 2019, with eight teams going on to compete in the 2020 ICC World Twenty20 Qualifier, along with the six lowest ranked sides from the ICC T20I Championship.

Nepal were in East Sub-regional Group along with Malaysia, Singapore, Bhutan, China, Myanmar and Thailand in the October 3–12 event.

After the conclusion of today's last match, Nepal topped the group while newcomer China languished at the bottom without registering any point.