KATHMANDU, JUL 18 - Nepal's hopes of qualifying for a second consecutive Twenty20 World Cup was over after a seven-wicket defeat against Jersey in Ireland on Saturday.

Jersey reached the 106 runs target in the 17th over losing three wickets at The Village in Malahide, Dublin.

It was another poor batting performance by the Nepali side which struggled to score runs throughout the tournament.

Debutant Siddhant Lohani (27) and vice captain Gyanendra Malla, also Nepal's highest run-scorer in the campaign, were the only noteworthy batsmen against Jersey. Lohani, starting for injured Sagar Pun for his first match of the tournament, smashed two sixes and two boundaries during his 15-ball knock.

All other batsmen struggled to score against the Jersey attack. Openers, once again, failed to put a good opening stand and further crucial wickets of skipper Paras Khadka (11), Sharad Bheswakar (16) pegged Nepal back.

Jersey also wobbled in the chase losing their first wicket when they had just six runs on board. However, a 55-run stand between Jonty Jenner (30) and Peter Gouch (27) guided them to an otherwise easy victory and keep their hopes of a top-four finish alive.

Nepal finished their campaign with just one victory and five defeats.

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Debutant Siddhant Lohani smashed 27 runs from 15 balls helping his side post a total of 105 for eight in the final group match of Twenty20 Qualifier in Ireland.

Lohani, who replaced injured Sagar Pun for his first match of the tournament, compensated Nepal's slow start in the must-win match with two sixes and two boundaries. Gyanendra Malla was another valuable contributor with 26 runs.

Rest of the batsmen failed to make any mark in the match capped by a brilliant fielding by Jersey side. Opener failed from putting on a good opening stand and further crucial wickets of skipper Paras Khadka (11), Sharad Bheswakar (16) pegged Nepal back.

For a top-four finish, Nepal has to win this match by a big margin and hope Hong Kong lose their remaining matches and further expect PNG to defeat USA.

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Jersey has won the toss and elect to bowl first against Nepal in the final group match of Twenty20 Qualifier in Ireland.

Nepal has made one change to the team that lost to Hong Kong on Friday. Siddhant Lohani replaces Sagar Pun in the only change. Coach Pubudu Dassanayake said that Pun was injured during a match against PNG.

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Nepal play Jersey in the final group match of the Twenty20 Qualifier at Dublin, Ireland, on Saturday.

Nepal's chances of a top-four finish hinges by a thread and only a miracle will help Nepal secure their place for play-off matches.

Nepal has to win against Jersey and hope Hong Kong lose its both remaining matches--against Namibia and USA--and expect PNG to defeat USA.