Nepal inched closer to its T20 World Cup dream after defeating Bermuda by 21 runs in its last group match in Dubai on Saturday to advance into the second round of the ICC World T20 Qualifiers.

Nepal bowled out Bermuda for 127 runs with four balls remaining at the ICC Academy Oval 1 to move one spot up to third in Group B of the qualifiers. Bermuda made a disastrous start to its run-chase and was soon teetering at 15/4 in 3.5 overs, but number-five batsman and skipper Janeiro Tucker rescued the team with 48 off 31. He smashed two sixes and five fours before being bowled by Sagar Pun on the last ball of the 13th over. Allan Douglas (14), Tre Manders (19) and Kamau Leverock (12) were the only other batsmen to reach double figures.

Jeetendra Mukhiya claimed three wickets for Nepal, while Avinash Karna and Paras Khadka took two each. Basanta Regmi and Sagar Pun shared a wicket each. Mukhiya gave away 25 runs in 3.2 overs while Khadka conceded 23 runs in his three-over spell. Similarly, Karna gave away 14 runs in his four overs and Regmi 30 runs in three overs.

Earlier, Nepal scored 148/8 after being invited to bat first. Gyanendra Malla was the top scorer with a 22-ball 39 that included two sixes and three boundaries.

Nepal currently lies third in Group B, but the final group standings would be determined only after the Denmark Vs Scotland and Afghanistan Vs Kenya matches on Sunday.

Source: Republica