Nepal entered the semifinals of the World Cricket League Division 5 tournament beating Vanuatu by 137 runs at the Victoria College Ground on Tuesday to record its fourth straight victory.
Opener Mahesh Chhetri made 65 as Nepal made 220/9 in 46 overs in the rain-curtailed match and Nepal then bowled out Vanuatu for 83 runs. Nepal plays USA at Les Quennevais 1 ground Wednesday to decide the group winner.
Chhetri played a patient innings of 65 from 112 balls while Mehboob Alam made attacking 34 off 19 coming in at No 5 to lay the foundation for a commanding total after Nepal was sent in to bat first. Opener Paresh Lohani made 28 off 34 while No 3 Sharad Vesawkar made 20 off 46.
Basanta Regmi made unbeaten 19 off 22 while Gyanendra Malla (12 off 17) and Paras Khadka (11 0ff 6) also made useful contributions. M Nimoho took 3/53 for Vanuatu.
Chasing a formidable target for victory, Vanuatu never looked to be going for victory and was behind the required rate right from the beginning.
Left arm spinner Basanta Regmi took two wickets for Nepal while Mehboob, Paras, Binod Das, Dhirendra Chand and Sanjam Regmi took one each while one batsman was run out.