CHITTAGONG, Bangladesh : Gyanendra Malla and captain Paras Khadka produced useful knocks Sunday as Nepal completed an impressive 80-run win over Hong Kong in a World Twenty20 Group A qualifying game.
Malla slammed 48 and Khadka made 41 as Nepal scored 149-8 after being put in to bat by an in-form Hong Kong team that had pulled off a last-ball win over Zimbabwe in a warm-up game.
Hong Kong crumbled to 69 all out in 17 overs with left-arm spinners Shakti Gauchan and Basant Regmi bagging three wickets each.
Nepal's innings was built on a solid 80-run stand between Khandka and Malla that lasted just over 11 overs and was a new third-wicket record for the team.
Malla struck four fours and a six off 41 deliveries while Khandka hit four fours off 37 balls.
For Hong Kong, former Pakistan under-19 player Haseeb Amjad grabbed 3-25 including two in the last over as Nepal lost four wickets off the last four deliveries of the innings, including two run outs.
In an earlier match that was seen as the showpiece game of Group A, Bangladesh scored a nine-wicket win over Afghanistan.
One team from this group will join India, Pakistan, Australia and the West Indies in Group 2 of the Super 10 stage.
Scores:
Nepal 149-8 in 20 overs (Gyanendra Malla 48, Paras Khadka 41; Haseeb Amjad 3-25) def. Hong Kong 69 all out in 17 overs (Babar Hayat 20; Shakti Gauchan 3-9, Basant Regmi 3-14).
