Asian nation in rapture after trouncing Papua New Guinea at World Cup Qualifier tournament earns them official ODI status for the first time
Nepal joy as they earn ODI status
Nepal skipper Paras Khadka hailed his "amazing" team after they secured one-day international status for the first time with a six-wicket victory over Papua New Guinea in Harare on Thursday.
Scorecard: PNG v Nepal
The Asian side were in the World Cricket League Division Five as recently as 2010, while their cricket association has been suspended by the ICC since 2016, although that ban doesn't affect on-field matters.
Thank you everyone for the support..Just been years and years of toil,persisitance,sacrifices,commitment and hardwork..Finally WE BECOME An ODI nation..
— Paras Khadka (@paras77) March 15, 2018
Congratulations to everyone who has been part of Nepal cricket's incredible journey ..
God Bless..!!!
Here's how Nepal's magical day started.
— ICC (@ICC) March 15, 2018
Take a look as Dipendra Singh Airee and @IamSandeep25 tore through the Papua New Guinea batting order! 👀 pic.twitter.com/Tezc0Qo1k4
Only a thrilling one-wicket win off the final ball against Canada even got Nepal to the World Cup qualifying tournament in Zimbabwe, where they followed up Monday's win over Hong Kong by beating Papua New Guinea in a playoff to become cricket's newest ODI side.
"It's massive, it's something we have worked towards for a very long time," said Khadka.
"As a team we've been pushing ourselves. We're very glad that we're winning games through different situations, players are standing up and everyone's contributing.
To the well wishers of Nepal Cricket : Its the “Result” of Years of “Hard Work” ! Years of “Patience” ! Hard work of many “Legends” and here we are now. A big proud day for all the people of Nepal🇳🇵What a beautiful journey so far. Together its Possible. Nepal - An ODI Nation ! pic.twitter.com/Vvbp1go5yq
— Sandeep Lamichhane (@IamSandeep25) March 15, 2018
"As a captain I'm happy to lead such an amazing bunch of boys. We’ve always been hungry to do well."
Nepal's fanbase has grown back home in recent years, with attendances for matches reported to have reached 20,000.
Former Australia captain Michael Clarke and Pakistan greats Inzamam ul-Haq and Mushtaq Ahmed were among those to congratulate Khadka's side on Twitter.
Celebration going on !! One of the proudest moment of my life ❤️❤️ pic.twitter.com/9FdWlc8KDI
— Sandeep Lamichhane (@IamSandeep25) March 15, 2018
"Congratulations to Nepal on getting the ODI status," wrote Mushtaq. "Way to go lads. A historic day for your country."
Inzaman added: "What a great journey."
Nepal bowled out their opponents for 114 and chased down the small target with 27 overs to spare.
Dipendra Singh Airee and teenage leg-spinner Sandeep Lamichhane both took four wickets, before Airee hit an unbeaten 50 to ensure that Nepal would become an ODI team until at least 2022, with Papua New Guinea losing their elite status.
Congratulations to Nepal on getting the ODI status. Way to go lads. A historic day for your country.
— Mushtaq Ahmed (@Mushy_online) March 15, 2018
Congrats Nepal on the ODI Status. What a great journey! https://t.co/ZnHcPd05LA
— Inzamam ul Haq (@InziTheLegend) March 15, 2018
"A big proud day for all the people of Nepal," Lamichhane, who was the first Nepalese to be signed for the Indian Premier League earlier this year, wrote on Twitter.
"What a beautiful journey so far. Together it's Possible. Nepal – An ODI Nation!"
The other playoff game saw Hong Kong lose their ODI place after a defeat by the Netherlands.
Nepal's new-found ODI status will not, however, see them compete in next year's World Cup tournament in England and Wales. Just two spots in the tournament are available for the top two finishers in this qualifying tournament.
Nepal will now meet the Netherlands in the 7th-placed playoff, and future 50-over matches against Associate nations will be granted official ODI status.
Congrats or @NepalCricket for gaining #odi status! Looking forward to our first tour to experience crowds like this! #NepalCricket #WCQ pic.twitter.com/wsuiAHtmNA
— Kevin O'Brien (@KevinOBrien113) March 15, 2018