With both teams already securing promotion to Division II, the final at the Kinrara Oval turned into a battleground for supremacy where Nepal came out on top to avenge their defeat in the league stage.

Nepal made 223 in 49.5 overs with three of their batsmen scoring half-centuries—Sagar Pun (64), Gyanendra Malla (56) and Naresh Budhayer (51). Nepali spinners then controlled the game to bowl their rivals out for 161 in 44.1 overs. Bhuwan Karki was the pick of the bowlers with four wickets in Nepal’s victory.

“This (Division III) was a huge tournament for us considering the future of Nepali cricket,” skipper Paras Khadka told the Post over the phone from Kuala Lumpur.

The qualification to Division II has opened Nepal a possibility of competing in high-profile tournaments under the ICC including the World Cricket League Championship (WCLC) and Intercontinental Cup (ICup). The Division II competition pits Nepal against Uganda, the Netherlands, Canada and Kenya. The top two teams in the division will qualify for WCLC and ICup.

“Now there is a huge responsibility on every one of us. The Division II is going to be a tough outing for us. It’ll take a lot of planning in every department. We need to do a three-month planning where we can get quality training along with higher-level exposure,” Khadka said.

On November 7, the national team will leave on a three-week tour of Sri Lanka where they will play two three-day matches against Sri Lanka Development Squad, three Twenty20 Internationals and a 50-over game against Hong Kong.

Bhawana Ghimire, CEO of the Cricket Association of Nepal, said the cricket governing body was working on several plans to enhance the team’s performance.

“Once the team return home, we will sit with the players and coaching staff and discuss preparations for the Division II,” she said.

PM congratulates Team Nepal

Prime Minister Sushil Koirala telephoned skipper Paras Khadka to congratulate him and the entire team on Nepal’s triumph. “I congratulate the team for their achievement personally and on behalf of the government and people of the country,” a PMO statement quoted PM Koirala as saying to Khadka.

The National Sports Council has meanwhile assured to initiate for a financial reward from the government in recognition of the achievement.