The last league match at the Kinrara Oval ground served as a final after another title contenders Oman lost to the United Arab Emirates (UAE) by 57 runs at the Bayuemas Oval. Nepal, Afghanistan and Oman were tied on six points before the final day began and the latter could have fancied their chances on net run-rate had they won the game.

The final round results meant the UAE not only joined Nepal, Afghanistan and Oman for the December’s ACC Championship but also finished second edging ahead of Nepal on net run-rate. In another match, Hong Kong beat Malaysia by four wickets.

Afghanistan rode on a solid opening stand to pile on 262 all out in 49.3 overs. The Associate giants almost certainly ensured the victory even before the rain interruption by reducing Nepal to 56-5 in 17 overs. After the resumption, Nepal got revised 237-run target in 32 overs. Nepal closed out at 128-9. The defeat also extended Nepal’s losing streak against Afghanistan in the 50-over format to six games. Nepal have not won against Afghanistan in a 50-over game since their victory in the 2004 ACC Trophy plate final match.

Youngster Noor Ali Zadran and Usman Ghani filled in the shoes of their experienced openers Karim Sadiq and Mohammad Shahzad with a 98-run stand for the first wicket. Aarif Sheikh dismissed both the openers in a space of nine runs bringing Nepal back in the match. Zadran was first to go for 43 off 59, while Ghani made 51 off 61.

Shakti Gauchan removed new man Nasir Ahmadzai (20) and Raj Kumar Pradhan trapped big hitting Samiullah Shenwari (18) leg before wicket to reduce Afghanistan to 157-4 in 34.1 overs. However, No 3 batsman Hasmatullah Shaidi (51) and skipper Mohammad Nabi (34) ensured Afghanistan post a decent total with a 64-run stand.

Gauchan finally got rid of Nabi and followed it with the wicket of Shaidi. Shafiqullah then came up with some lusty shots to pile more runs to the Afghanistan total. He struck three sixes in his eight-ball 21 before falling prey to Som Pal Kami. Basanta Regmi polished off the tail with three lower-order wickets.

Nepal were out of contention as Dawlat Zadran wreaked havoc with his express deliveries removing Naresh Budhayer (10), Subash Khakurel (8), Gyanendra Malla (11) and Sharad Vesawkar (0) cheaply. Binod Bhandari (5) also threw his wicket to Amir Hamza as Nepal were reeling at 51-5 in 13 overs.

Rain delay made the matter worse for Nepal as they got a revised target, needing another 181 from the remaining 15 overs after resumption. New man Sheikh (1) was run out and Regmi (8) was next to go, bowled by Nabi. Mirwais Ashraf bowled skipper Paras Khadka as Nepal were in dire straits at 84-8 in 25.1 overs.

Khadka top scored for Nepal with 33 off 51 balls

that included three fours and a six. Gauchan (19) and Kami (19) saved Nepal’s blushes with a 41-run ninth wicket stand. Kami was declared the best bowler of the tournament. He took 15 wickets in five matches.