After almost four years, there is just one CWC League 2 tri-series left to play and Nepal have kept alive their slim hopes of qualifying directly for the ICC Men's World Cup Qualifier after beating the UAE today in Dubai.

Nepal, batting first after winning the toss, looked to be struggling on 68-5 but two partnerships of 56 - one between Bhim Sharki and Sandeep Lamichhane and one between Sharki and Aarif Sheikh got their innings back on track.

Sharki top scored for the visitors with 70, whilst Skeikh scored an unbeaten 43 to help Nepal post 229-8 from their 50 overs.

UAE lost Muhammad Waseem - who took over as captain from CP Rizwan today, though Rizwan remained in the line up - for a second ball duck but looked to be cruising after a 94 run partnership between Asif Khan and Aryan Lakra. That partnership ended when Lakra was the second man out for 50.

Khan went on to score 82 but by the time he was out, the home side were in a tailspin. From 122-2 they were bowled out for 187, Khan's dismissal being quickly followed by two more without anything being added to the score.

Sompal Kami and Dipendra Singh Airee both took three wickets each as Nepal secured their 42 run win.

The final tri-series features the same three teams as played in this one. Papua New Guinea will finish last no matter what, but Nepal still have a chance of making the top three should they win all four matches, otherwise Namibia will take the third and final direct spot in the qualifier. Two wins will guarantee that they will keep their ODI status.

UAE can no longer make the top three but will still want to do enough to avoid a sixth place finish and retain their ODI status. To be sure of this, they'll need three wins. Two may be enough depending on their net run rate. Papua New Guinea and whichever of Nepal, UAE or USA are in sixth place will be at risk of losing ODI status at the qualifier play-off in Namibia in May.