Nepal displayed an all-round performance to beat Kuwait by 8 wickets in the last league match of the ACC Trophy Elite 2010 at KOC Hubara, Kuwait.
Nepal bowled out Kuwait for 120 in 42 overs and chased the target in 26.4 overs. Nepal now meets Malaysia, who knocked out four-time champions UAE in 27.1 overs to qualify ahead of them on net run-rate, on Wednesday at the same venue.
For Nepal’s victory, openers Anil Mandal and Mahesh Chhetri put yet another brilliant performance adding 80 in 13.1 overs for opening stand. Anil was out on 33 while Mahesh completed his second half-century in successive matches and got out on 63.
Mahesh left little work remaining for Shakti Gauchan (13 not out) and vice-captain Gyanendra Malla (3), who carried Nepal to victory.
Earlier, Paras won the toss and elected to field first.
Binod Das, who was brought in after two matches, and Mehboob Alam gave Nepal a dream start taking five wickets in 12 overs.
Binod took 3/24 while Mehboob grabbed 2/25 as Kuwait went down to 31/5.
Paras made it 48/6 whilet he lower order contributed a few runs to take the hosts beyound 100.
Saud Iqbal (26 not out), Saad Khalid (24) and Saif Ullah (21) contributed to total as off spinner Sanjam Remgi picked up final four wickets in his 5 overs giving away 21 runs.
Sanjam was adjudged man of the match.