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Nepal 115 for 4 (Airee 50*) beat Papua New Guinea 114 (Airee 4-14, Lamichhane 4-29, Vanua 2-25) by 6 wickets
Harare: Nepal moved closer to gaining ODI status for the first time in their history after defeating Papua New Guinea by six wickets in the Cricket World Cup Qualifier play-off at Old Hararians Sports Club on Thursday.
If Netherlands -- who already confirmed they would regain their ODI status by winning the World Cricket League Championship last December -- beat Hong Kong in Thursday's second play-off, then Nepal's promotion will be secured. If Netherlands lose, then Nepal will need to beat Hong Kong in the seventh-place play-off on Saturday to claim ODI status.
Nepal's bowlers laid the platform for the comprehensive win, with Sandeep Lamichhane and Dipendra Airee taking four wickets apiece to dismiss their opponents for 114 in just 27.2 overs.
It was another disappointing batting display from PNG, who have now been bowled out for 200 or fewer in four of their five matches in the competition. The defeat confirms they will lose their ODI status.
Chad Soper and Sese Bau took PNG past the 50-mark, sharing a third-wicket stand of 22, but from then on Nepal's bowlers ran amok.
Lamichhane, the 17-year-old leg-spinner, was irrepressible once again, claiming figures of 4/29 to take his wicket tally for the tournament to 11. He took a wicket in each of his first four overs.
Charles Amini and Jason Kila tried to rectify the damage by forging a 28-run stand for the seventh wicket, but then it was the turn of the off-spinner Airee to tear into PNG, taking the last four wickets to finish with the impressive figures of 4/14 -- the 18-year-old's best in List A cricket.
Two early wickets gave PNG brief hope in Nepal's reply, Gyanendra Malla edging behind off Alei Nao and Sah trapped in front by Vanua to leave the score 13/2.
Khadka, Nepal's captain and talisman, helped to settle the nerves with an 18-ball 20 before he mis-timed a pull stroke off Reva and was pouched at mid-on.
Nepal were not to be denied though, as Airee capped a fine individual display with a composed innings of 50* from 58 balls to see his side home. He was ably supported by Aarif Sheikh, who chipped in with a useful 26 before becoming Vanua's second victim, as Nepal reached their target with 27 overs to spare.
PNG will now play the loser of the match between the Netherlands and Hong Kong in Saturday's ninth-place play-off.
