Himal Press 
KATHMANDU: Nepal inched closer to securing a berth in ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup 2024 Qualifier, defeating Papua New Guinea (PNG) by nine wickets in the ICC World Cricket League WCL-2 series at TU Cricket Stadium on Monday.
Batting first after losing the toss, PNG folded for 95 runs in 32 overs. Chasing 96 to win, Nepal scored 100 losing one wicket in 7.4 overs thanks to an aggressive half-century by opener Aasif Sheikh.
Captain Assad Vala top-scored the visitors, scoring 20 runs off 31 balls. Sese Bau contributed 18 runs from 28 balls before Sandeep Lamichhane bowled him. Charles Amini and Hiri Hiri scored 16 and 14 runs, respectively. Other PNG batsmen failed to reach double digits.
Sandeep Lamichhane was the pick of the Nepali bowler as the legs pinner took five PNG wickets giving 25 runs in his 10-over spell. Lalit Rajbanshi and Kushal Malla had two wickets each, while Sompal Kami had one wicket to his name.
Openers Kushal Bhurtel and Aasif Sheikh added 51 runs for the first wickets in just 21 balls. Bhurtel scored a quickfire 33 from 14 balls, while Aasif Sheikh remained not out at 53 runs from 21 balls. Kushal Mulla contributed 12 runs from 13 balls.
Nepal will play its final match of the tri-series against UAE on Thursday. A victory against UAE will ensure that Nepal will finish above Namibia third on the table and will be selected to play the ICC Cricket World Cup 2024 Qualifier.
