After losing three games on the trot, Afghanistan finally won at the World Cup Qualifier today against Asian rivals Nepal to keep alive their hopes of reaching a second consecutive World Cup.

Nepal won the toss and chose to bat first at the Bulawayo Athletic Club. After losing Anil Sah early on, a 92 run second wicket partnership between Gyanendra Malla and Paras Khadka provided the early impetus for Nepal as they looked for a first one-day win over Afghanistan in 14 years.

Malla and Khadka fell for 23 and 75 respectively within 3 overs of each other though, and Nepal were on the back foot. Dipendra Singh Airee contributed 32 whilst Aarif Sheikh scored 23, but it was otherwise a procession for Nepal as they were bowled out for 194. Mohammad Nabi was the pick of the bowlers with 4-33, whilst Rashid Khan took 3-45.

Evidently looking to do something different after three defeats, Afghanistan opened the batting with Rashid Khan alongside Javed Ahmadi. He hit a quick 21 from 14 balls before he was dismissed by Karan KC. An innings of 46 by Rahmat Shah and an unbeaten 52 by Najibullah Zadran helped them secure a six wicket win in 38.4 overs.

The result - combined with Hong Kong's defeat by Zimbabwe - moved Afghanistan to third in the table, though as they have now played all their matches, their fate is out of their hands. Nepal will play Hong Kong on Monday, where a Hong Kong win will see them qualify for the Super Six stage at the expense of Afghanistan.

Nepal theoretically can pass Afghanistan on net run rate with a huge win (by 220-230 runs) over Hong Kong, but otherwise a Nepal win will see Afghanistan in the Super Six.