KATHMANDU, JUL 15 - Nepal have been dealt a massive blow in their bid to qualify for their second consecutive ICC World Twenty20 after going down to Hong Kong by five wickets in the ICC World Twenty20 Qualifiers at the Civil Service Club in Belfast, Northern Ireland on Wednesday.
The defeat pushed Nepal to fifth spot in the Group 'A' standings with three points from four games and they will not only need to win their two remaining games against Papua New Guinea (PNG) and Jersey but also wait for the results of the other matches got their way.
PNG on Wednesday produced a major upset stunning defending champions Ireland by two wickets. Nepal have three points from four games, while Ireland are first in the table with six points from four games. PNG are second with five points from three games, while Namibia are third with three points and Hong Kong – also on three points -- are fourth.
In the match, Nepal made 109 all out from 20 overs recovering from 31-5. Basanta Regmi brought Nepal back in the match picking up 4-16 from his four overs reducing Hong Kong to 89-5. However, Hong Kong managed to get across the finishing line with a sensible 21-run stand between Babar Hayat (17 not out) and Aizaz Khan (14 not out) leading the team to 110-5 in 19.1 overs.
Earlier, Nepal lost Subash Khakurel (two), Gyanendra Malla (duck), Paras Khadka (one), Sagar Pun (11) and Regmi (11) before a 41-run stand between Sharad Vesawkar and Rajesh Pulami pushed them towards triple figures. Vesawkar top scored with 27 off 24 with two fours and a six, while Pulami hit two sixes in his 34-ball 25.
Haseeb Amjad picked up 4-16 for Hong Kong.
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