Nepal rode on a five-wicket haul by leg-spinner Sandeep Lamichhane – which included the first hat-trick in the tournament – to defeat Ireland by eight wickets and confirm its maiden appearance in the quarter-finals.
Ireland was tied down to 131 for nine after electing to bat and Nepal, which had stunned New Zealand in its opening match, coasted home in the 26th over with Yogendra Karki making 61.
Lamichhane had Lorcan Tucker and Adam Dennison caught off successive balls in his fourth over and then bowled Fiachra Tucker with his next delivery to complete the hat-trick.
“What was more important than the hat-trick was that we won an important game and qualified for the quarter-finals,” said Lamichhane. “I hope we can continue the same way in other matches.”
Nepal’s captain Raju Rijal said qualifying for the quarter-finals meant a lot to his nation.
“I am sure there will be a lot of celebrations back home because cricket is very popular in our country,” said Rijal. “Performances like these will inspire more people to play the game in Nepal.
“The team spirit is very good and we enjoy each other’s success. The target now is to get past the quarter-finals also.”
India and Nepal, which took the two top spots in Group D at the expense of New Zealand and Ireland, will clash on Monday in their last league match to decide the group winner.
Sri Lanka survived a tense run-chase by Afghanistan before clinching victory and a place in the quarter-finals.
Skipper Charith Asalanka top-scored with 71 in Sri Lanka's modest 184 all out, but Afghanistan was itself bowled out for 151 despite opener Karim Janat’s 40 and Waheedullah Shafaq’s 47.
Kamindu Mendis, who possesses a rare talent of bowling both right-arm off-spin and left-arm orthodox spin, claimed three wickets for 36 runs.
Pakistan scored a seven-wicket win over Canada after bowling out the unfancied rival for 178. Hasan Khan took three wickets and Shadab Khan took two.
Pakistan and Sri Lanka advanced from Group B, which also included Afghanistan and Canada, and will play each other on February 3 to determine who tops the group.
The Pakistanis surpassed the target in the 41st over with Zeeshan Malik making 89 and Saif Badar 44.
Pakistan captain Gohar Hafeez said he was satisfied with the way the tournament was progressing for his team.
“We are batting and bowling well and that is a good sign,” he said. “We will be well prepared for the Sri Lanka game because we want to win and top the group.”
The 11th edition of the biennial 16-nation tournament features nine Test-playing nations and seven Associate and Affiliate Members – Afghanistan, Canada, Fiji, Namibia, Nepal, Ireland and Scotland.
Teams have been divided into four groups with the top two in each advancing to the Super League quarter-finals and the other two qualifying for the Plate championships.
Scores in brief:
Group B: Sri Lanka beat Afghanistan by 33 runs in Sylhet
Sri Lanka 184 all out, 48.1 overs (Charith Asalanka 71; Shamsurrahman Wali 3-19, Karim Janat 2-37, Zahir Khan 2-36)
Afghanistan 151 all out, 44.5 overs (Karim Janat 40, Waheedullah Shafaq 47; Kamindu Mendis 3-36).
Group B: Pakistan beat Canada by seven wickets in Sylhet
Canada 178 all out, 48.3 overs (Bhavindu Adhihetty 51, Abraash Khan 44; Hasan Khan 3-36, Shadab Khan 2-44)
Pakistan 180-3 in 40.5 overs (Zeeshan Malik 89, Saif Badar 44)
Group D: India beat New Zealand by 120 runs in Mirpur
India 258-8, 50 overs (Rishabh Pant 57, Sarfaraz Khan 74, Armaan Jaffer 46, Mahipal Lomror 45; Zak Gibson 3-50, Nathan Smith 2-39, Rachin Ravindra 2-41)
New Zealand 138 all out, 31.3 overs (Christian Leopard 40; Avesh Khan 4-32, Mahipal Lormor 5-47)
Group D: Nepal beat Ireland by eight wickets in Fatullah
Ireland 131-9, 50 overs (Harry Tector 30 not out; Sandeep Lamichhane 5-27, Dipendra Airee 2-18)
Nepal 132-2, 25.3 overs (Yogendra Karki 61, Aarif Sheikh 31 not out)
