Three games, three last-over wins for Nepal

JAMES COYNE: More last-ball drama for Nepal, as they and UAE head to the World Cup Qualifier

Nepal are one event away from qualifying for their first 50-over World Cup, after their third dramatic last-over win in ICC World Cricket League Division Two.

Canada, who had won their first three games in the tournament, looked favourites to hold their nerve for the win at the Wanderers Ground that would see them through to the World Cup Qualifier in Zimbabwe next month.

But Nepal’s No.10, Karan KC, smashed a late 42 from 31 balls, including four sixes, to see them sneak to their target of 195 by one wicket, and edge past a heartbroken Canada on net run-rate.

Nepal needed eight off the last over, but Karan managed none off the first four balls from Cecil Pervez. Then he struck Pervez for six over cover. With two needed off the last delivery, Pervez slipped one down legside for a wide, then Karan turned an overpitched yorker off his pads for the winning run.

It rounded off an incredible treble of tight run-chases by Nepal. They had already beaten hosts Namibia by a single wicket in their first match, when they scraped to a target of 139. On that occasion, Nepal's No.10 batsman Basant Regmi contributed late runs (24 not out) to get them over the line the last over. Nepal then lost to Oman.

Then, against Kenya, Sompal Kami had scampered two off the last ball of the match to see the Nepalis home by three wickets, before a fourth win, over UAE. Nepal’s experience serves to emphasise the incredibly cut-throat nature of WCL events. These are arguably the most high-pressure events in world cricket.

Not only do these tournaments decide who can qualify for the World Cup, but it also decides one-day international status, and has a significant bearing on revenue and sponsorship. Dougie Brown, the UAE coach, had spoken earlier in the week to ESPNCricinfo about the incredible pressure players and coaches are under.

Nepal could conceivably earn ODI status with a strong showing in Zimbabwe, if one of the four Full Members does badly.

Meanwhile, over at Affies Park, UAE held off a late charge from Namibia to join Nepal in the World Cup Qualifier. A strong collective effort, including 77 from Shaiman Anwar, saw UAE rack up 247 for 6.

But Namibia fought back, with Gerhard Erasmus smacking 58 late on. Namibia eventually fell 19 runs short. UAE, Canada and Namibia all ended on six points. Canada and Namibia have the consolation of retaining their place in Division Two of the WCL next time.

Oman and Kenya were both already relegated to Division Three. Oman won their meeting at United CC by two wickets, despite Kenya's left-arm spinner Hiren Varaiya taking 3 for 28.

Nepal and UAE will play tomorrow in the WCL Division Two final to decide who tops the pile. The winner will take their place in Group A of the World Cup Qualifier in March, alongside West Indies, Ireland, Netherlands and Papua New Guinea. The loser of the final will be drawn against Zimbabwe, Afghanistan, Scotland and Hong Kong. The top two sides in the World Cup Qualifier will go on to the 10-team World Cup in England in 2019.