KATHMANDU, JUL 17 - Nepal have lost to Papua New Guinea (PNG) by eight wickets in their fifth match at World Twenty20 Qualifiers at Dublin, Ireland on Friday. The defeat has further dashed Nepal's hopes of qulifying for the playoffs.
PNG chased down a modest 94-run target set by Nepal with 35 balls to spare. Earlier, Nepali batsmen were bundled out in 19.2 overs.
Assad Vala smashed the highest 34 runs for PNG off 44 balls followed by Tony Ura who made 32 including 4 boundries and a six off 21 balls.
PNG won the toss and sent Nepal to bat first in which Nepal were bundled out for 93 runs in 19.2 overs. The overall run rate for Nepal was 4.72.
Sagar Pun and Pradeep Aire were sent to open the Nepali innings. Aire scored the highest 29 runs off 28 balls including four boundries, and Pun made 15 runs with three boundaries off 12 balls.
Nepali batsmen could not put on a good show as Captain Paras Khadka scored five runs off nine balls before being caught out.
Nepal's hope to Nepal need to finish at least at No 4 in their group to make it to the playoffs.
Papua New Guinea have been impressive and unbeaten till now with five points from three matches, Nepal, after losing to Hong Kong on Wednesday, now has just one win, a washout and three losses from five outings.
Nepal are fourth in the Group A standing with three points from five matches and cannot afford to lose a single game if they are to keep their hopes of qualifying for the playoffs. Holders Ireland and PNG are primed to secure direct qualification to the 2016 ICC World Twenty20. Top teams in each group earn direct qualification, while three others in each of the teams will go into the playoffs for remaining four others spots for the 2016 World Twenty20 in India. So, Nepal need to finish at least at No 4 in their group to make it to the playoffs.
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