A Netherland win against Hong Kong in the second playoff means, Nepal have secured ODI status for four years. Nepal had done their job for the day defeating PNG by 4 wickets and was praying for a Netherland win at Kwekwe Sports Club.
Netherland see off Hong Kong by 44 runs to hand over Nepal the ODI status till 2022. The Dutch side posted a target of 174 runs which Hong Kong were short by 44 runs making 130 runs losing all wickets.
Nepal had been given T-20 status earlier after an impressive performance in ICC T20 World Cup. Getting Associate status in 1996, Nepal’s dream of getting ODI status has finally been completed after 22 years.
The ICC had announced to provide the status to top 3 associate nations before the start of ICC World Cup qualifiers. Nepal will now take on Netherlands in the 7th place playoff match on March 17. With the loss, Hong kong and PNG are relegated to division-2.