HAMILTON, Bermuda, CMC – Half-centuries by Pradeep Airee and Sharad Vesawkar helped Nepal beat Uganda by five wickets to secure the 50-overs ICC World Cricket League (WCL) Division 3 title at the National Sports Centre on Sunday.
In other play-off games, the United States beat Bermuda by 30 runs at St David’s to clinch third place, leaving the hosts fourth ahead of Oman, who beat winless Italy by five wickets at Somerset.
Nepal’s triumph was remarkable after they lost their opening two matches of the tournament. Nepal and Uganda were promoted to Division 2 and also advance to the next World Cup qualifiers in New Zealand next year.
Oman and Italy were relegated to Division 4.
Nepal and Uganda will compete in New Zealand with eight other leading Associate and Affiliate sides for the final two positions in the 2015 World Cup.
Uganda captain Davis Arinaitwe was named player of the tournament. The 26-year-old took 10 wickets during the tournament, and twice received the award for man of the match
.
Chasing down a target of 152, Airee (60) and Vesawkar (50 not out) laid the foundation for Nepal’s victory.
Meanwhile, a 156-run partnership between teenager Steven Taylor and Orlando Baker helped US overcome a shaky start to post a healthy 271 for seven against Bermuda to win the third-place play off and avenge a five-wicket defeat the previous day.
After Dion Stovell took two early wickets to have US precariously placed at 15 for two, Taylor, later named Nan of the Match, struck 97 from 95 balls, and Baker made 72.
Japen Patel (34) and Elmore Hutchinson (33 not out) chipped in with more useful runs.
Stovell was the pick of the Bermuda attack, taking four for 38 from nine overs.
In reply, despite losing a wicket to the first delivery, Bermuda started brightly with veterans David Hemp making 45 and Janeiro Tucker 34. The run rate was accelerated when Malachi Jones, the 23-year old all-rounder, added 29 from 27 deliveries.
Jacobi Robinson struck 31 from 14 balls but a four-wicket haul by Muhammad Ghous helped break the resistance as Bermuda were bowled out for 241 in the 49th over.
Final rankings of the WCL Division 3:
1st – Nepal
2nd – Uganda
3rd – USA
4th – Bermuda
5th – Oman
6th – Italy
