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IRELAND needed all 50 overs to chase down 269 as they wrapped up seventh place with a two-wicket win over Nepal.
Half-centuries from Harry Tector and Curtis Campher were crucial in their chase before the bowlers saw them over the line.
After electing to field, Ireland’s Craig Young (2/36) made an impact after coming as first change, removing Kushal Bhurtel (8) and Gyanendra Malla (7), both caught behind to leave Nepal 44 for two.
A 50-run stand between Arjun Saud (48) and skipper Rohit Paudel (29) kept the scoreboard ticking over, but they fell in the space of three overs to allow Ireland to get back on top.
Kushal Malla’s 38-ball 44 came to an end when he was caught by Tector of Barry McCarthy (2/63) but Sandeep Lamichhane (32) and Gulsan Jha (57 not out) provided some valuable runs down the order.
They added 80 for the eighth wicket, with Jha kicking on and hitting four fours and three sixes to take Nepal to a respectable 268 for nine from their 50 overs.
Karan KC (4/58) got the wicket of Andy McBrine (17) early in Ireland’s chase, soon followed by skipper Andy Balbirnie (1). And when Paul Stirling was bowled by Jha, Ireland were 60 for three and under some pressure.
Tector (60) steadied the ship with Lorcan Tucker (24) but when they were both dismissed, Ireland still needed 135 to win with half the team already gone.
Campher and George Dockrell came together for a crucial partnership, putting on 84 in 15 overs, Karan returning to get the crucial wicket of Campher for 62.
Dockrell (33) was then caught off Kishore Mahato, leaving it to the bowlers to finish the job.
They did just that, Mark Adair with two boundaries in the 48th over to bring it down to single figures.
Karan removed Adair (18) in his final over, leaving Ireland needing five off the last with two wickets in hand. McCarthy did the honours, hitting a boundary to win it.
Windies and Oman look to bounce back
This was not the plan for the West Indies, whose hopes of making the World Cup are over with two matches still to play.
After losing to Zimbabwe and the Netherlands in their last two games of the group stages, the Windies then fell to a seven-wicket defeat to Scotland, ending their chances of making it to India later this year.
They now take on Oman, whose tournament has followed a similar trajectory, winning their opening two games before losing four on the spin. They have a chance for one final win in Harare, having shown that they are a dangerous batting sides in defeats to Zimbabwe and the Netherlands.
Scores in brief
Ireland beat Nepal at Takashinga Cricket Club by two wickets
Nepal 268/9 in 50 overs (Gulsan Jha 57*, Arjun Saud 48; Craig Young 2/26, Mark Adair 2/47)
Ireland 269/8 in 49.2 overs (Curtis Campher 62, Harry Tector 60; Karan KC 4/58, Kishore Mahato 2/55) — ICC
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