Nepal have marked their arrival on the international cricket stage with a massive 80-run win over fellow newcomers Hong Kong in a preliminary group match at the World Twenty20.

Nepal hammered 8-149 after being sent into bat and then bowled Hong Kong out for just 69 in 17 overs in the day-night match at Chittagong’s Zahur Ahmed Chowdhury stadium.

Sunday’s memorable group A win was set up by skipper Paras Khadka and Gyanendra Malla, who put on 80 for the third wicket after Nepal were reduced to 2-36 in 5.1 overs.

Khadka hit a 37-ball 41, while Malla made 48 off 41 balls with four boundaries and a six.

Nepal lost four wickets off the last four deliveries of the innings – two of them run out – which denied them a bigger total.

But even the 150-run target proved too stiff for Hong Kong after the inspirational Khadka had opener Irfan Ahmed caught behind with the first ball of the innings.

Hong Kong suffered a dramatic middle order collapse, losing four wickets in eight balls at the same score of 58.

The innings was wrecked by Nepal’s two left-arm spinners, with Shakti Gauchan claiming three wickets for nine runs and Basant Regmi taking three for 14.

Babar Hayat top-scored for Hong Kong with 20, but eight batsmen failed to reach double figures against the steady Nepalese attack.

Nepal and Hong Kong are among six qualifiers – the others being Ireland, Afghanistan, the United Arab Emirates and the Netherlands – who joined Zimbabwe and Bangladesh in the two-group preliminary league.

The two group winners will then contest the Super-10 round with the top eight Test nations – Australia, Pakistan, South Africa, England, New Zealand, India, Sri Lanka and the West Indies – from March 21.

The final is on April 6 in Dhaka.