World Cup Qualifiers: Nepal earns ODI status
Sandeep Lamichhane, the leggie who bagged an IPL contract this season, returned with figures of 4/29 in the six-wicket victory over Papua New Guinea, which sealed the deal for the Asian outfit.
Published : Mar 15, 2018 20:27 IST
The Nepal cricket team earned the ODI status after getting the better of Papua New Guinea (PNG) by six wickets in the ICC Cricket World Cup Qualifiers at the Old Hararians Sports Club in Harare on Thursday.
Netherlands’ win over Hong Kong confirmed Nepal’s feat.
Nepal will now play the Dutch for the seventh place in the 10-team tournament on Saturday.
Hong and PNG will be relegated to World Cricket League Division 2.
Nepal won the toss and elected to field. It dismissed PNG for 114 and chased the target down in 23 overs. Dipendra Airee shone with the ball (4/14) and remained unbeaten on 50.
Sandeep Lamichhane, the 17-year-old leggie who already hit the headlines for bagging an Indian Premier League contract, picked up four wickets as well.
The ICC always maintained that Nepal is a priority nation for the popularity of the game in the region. Due to lack of administration, the Nepal cricketers couldn't move beyond their territory. At times, senior cricketers and coaches took on added responsibilities of running the cricketing affairs.