Nepal have moved closer to securing promotion to Division 2 of the World Cricket League after beating the USA in a rain-shortened game today in Kuala Lumpur.

With rain forecast again, the tournament organisers made the unusually sensible decision to move the start of play almost an hour earlier. It proved to be a very useful decision. USA captain Steve Massiah won the toss and chose to bat first. Steven Taylor and Fahad Babar put on their highest opening partnership of the tournament, reaching 64 before Taylor was out for 36.

Babar went on to score 59 before he was out, but it came at a slow pace, taking 114 balls as he batted into the 36th over. The slow pace of the USA innings meant that they were only able to reach 223-9 from their 50 overs. Shakti Gauchan was the pick of the bowlers with 3-30.

Nepal lost Naresh Budayair for a duck early in their innings, but Subash Khakurel and Gyanendra Malla were able to put on an unbroken 72 before the rain finally came after 22 overs. There was no chance of a resumption, and with Nepal 10 runs ahead of the Duckworth/Lewis par score, they recorded their third win of the tournament.

Nepal now need just a win against Malaysia tomorrow to secure promotion to WCL2 in Namibia early next year. Even if they lose, their NRR is high enough that it would take a huge defeat for them to be knocked out of the promotion spots.

Also replayed today was the match between Singapore and Bermuda, with Bermuda choosing to bat first after winning the toss. As in their first two games, they struggled with the bat, only being able to score 124 before being bowled out. Selladore Vijayakumar was the pick of the bowlers with 4-38.

Singapore managed to lose seven wickets in their reply, though Chaminda Ruwan stayed in long enough to score 57. Kamau Leverock bowled well for Bermuda, taking 3-16, whilst Allan Douglas took two catches as wicketkeeper before taking off the pads and taking a third catch whilst bowling.

Singapore completed a three wicket win in 31.3 overs. Their game against the USA will likely decide which team gets relegated. A big win could theoretically see them promoted if Bermuda can record an unlikely win over Uganda.

Results

Nepal beat USA by 10 runs (D/L)
Kinrara Academy Oval, Kuala Lumpur, 28 October
USA 223-9 (50 overs, Fahad Babar 59, T Patel 39, S Taylor 36, S Gauchan 3-30)
Nepal 73-1 (22 overs, target 64, S Khakurel 49*)

Singapore beat Bermuda by 3 wickets
Bayumas Oval, Selangor, 28 October
Bermuda 124 (27.5 overs, S Vijayakumar 4-38, Abhiraj Singh 3-17)
Singapore 127-7 (31.3 overs, C Ruwan 57, K Leverock 3-16)