ODI cricket’s new entrants: Sandeep Lamichhane, Dipendra Airee mastermind Nepal’s historic win

With a six-wicket win over Papua New Guinea at Harare in the 2019 World Cup qualifier on Wednesday, Nepal gained One-Day International status.

After Sandeep Lamichhane and Dipendra Airee picked up four wickets apiece to dismiss the Papua New Guinea for their fourth sub-200 total in the competition, Nepal reached the target of 115 with 27 overs to spare.

The wickets of openers Gyanendra Malla and Anil Sah with just 13 on the board might have given a flicker of hope for Papua New Guinea but it was soon snuffed out as the next three batted with ease to take Nepal home. Airee made an unbeaten 58-ball 50 with three sixes and a four. Due to the defeat, Papua New Guinea will lose their ODI status.

Nepal, meanwhile, received plaudits on Twitter for their incredible achievement, considering their nation’s small population and that their country’s cricket board is suspended by the International Cricket Council for government interference in the board.

Nepal fans ⬇️

Paras Khadka just recorded this message especially for you! 👍🇳🇵 #CWCQ pic.twitter.com/glEbUl635g
— Cricket World Cup (@cricketworldcup) March 15, 2018

HURRAY! We are 🏏 ODI nation from 2018 to 2022. Congratulations everyone! Thank you players! Let's CELEBRATE 🇳🇵🎆🎇.
— Cricket Nepal (@NepalCricket) March 15, 2018

Hell of a lot of work to do, but given population, fanatical interest in cricket and U-19 success over years - beat India last year - and Sandeep Lamichhane already having IPL contract, Nepal seem to have best chance of doing an Afghanistan in the next decade
— Tim (@timwig) March 15, 2018

Congratulations to @NepalCricket for today's 5-wicket win against @CricketHK in the ICC Cricket World Cup Qualifier. #CWCQ
— Afghan Cricket Board (@ACBofficials) March 12, 2018

Cricket's 4,000th ODI will be played on Saturday between PNG and Hong Kong. It will be the last either team play for at least four years.

At the same time the Netherlands and Nepal, the WCL Champion and the world's newest ODI nation, will play at Kwekwe. The game will be List A.
— Bertus de Jong (@BdJcricket) March 15, 2018

Never underestimate the power & quality of associate cricket, @CricketHK beat & knock out favourites @ACBofficials from the #WCQ2018, after qualifying through #wcl2 UAE beat Holland the 13th ODI team & #wcl2 @NepalCricket showed lots of skill today vs us! A reduced WC is crazy!
— Kyle Coetzer (@MeerGoose11) March 8, 2018