Kathmandu, Oct. 14 -- Among the nine countries participating in the Asia & EAP Qualifier, Nepal were the team that entered with the highest confidence. The reason: the Rhinos had just defeated two-time T20 World Cup winners, the West Indies, 2-1 to clinch a three-match T20I series.

Further, two in two wins in the warm-up matches of the Qualifier-a 6-wicket win over Oman on October 4 and a 16-run win over Qatar on October 6-boosted their morale as a high-stake tournament kicked off on October 8.

Facing Kuwait in the first group-stage game on October 8, Nepal kicked off well with a 58-run victory. It was Nepal's third win against Kuwait in four encounters.

However, when Nepal faced Japan, an emerging Associate, in the other game of the g...