By a Staff Reporter
Muscat- Nepal reached the semifinals of the ICC T20 World Cup Global Qualifiers staying unbeaten in the league round. On Monday, Nepal defeated Canada by 8 wickets in the third and final match of the league round to move just one step away from the T20 World Cup to be held in Australia later this year.
If Nepal beats the UAE in the semifinal on Tuesday, the national team will qualify for the 2022 T20 World Cup to be held in Australia in October/November.
During Monday’s match, Nepal met the target of 81 runs in 14.1 overs losing two wickets. Opener Kushal Bhurtel was unbeaten with 34 runs off 37 balls including three boundaries.
Dipendra Singh Airee (not out) contributed 27 runs off 31 balls. His innings also included three boundaries. Another opener Aasif Sheikh was out with 17 runs from 16 balls. He scored a boundary and a six. Kushal Malla was out for a duck.
Earlier, Canada who won the toss and opted to bat first, were all out for 80 runs in 15 overs. Canada’s number 10 batsman Dillon Heyliger topscored 24 runs off 22 balls for his team.
Canada, who were in a good position at 35-1 in 4.2 overs, lost eight wickets for just 13 runs and were struggling at 48-9 in 10.1 overs. Tailenders Heyliger and Salman Najar provided some resistance with a 32-run partnership for the last wicket. Salman was run-out for 10 runs.
Sandeep Lamichhane took three wickets in his four-over spell giving away 12 runs. Likewise, Kamal Singh Airee took 2 wickets in 3 overs giving away 16 runs. Avinash Bohra took 2 wickets while Kushal Malla bagged one.
Nepal reached the semifinal as winners of Group B. Nepal will next face the UAE, runners-up of Group A. Oman will take on Ireland in another semifinal.
Nepal had defeated hosts Oman by 39 runs in the first match followed by a 136-run victory over the Philippines.
