By Sachit Subba • Cricket • Oct 15, 2025 14:46 PM • 23 views
Muscat, Oman – The high-stakes drama of the Asia/East Asia-Pacific Qualifier has reached a thrilling crescendo, with Nepal and Oman securing their places at the ICC Men's T20 World Cup 2026. The two Asian powerhouses navigated a brutal Super Six phase, locking in two of the three coveted global tournament spots before their scheduled head-to-head clash. The crucial lifeline came courtesy of the UAE's victory over Samoa, an outcome that mathematically assured both the Nepalese and the Omanis of a top-three finish, regardless of the remaining fixtures.
Nepal's Nerve-Shredding Ride
Nepal, a team renowned for its passionate following and flair for the dramatic, refused to make its qualification easy. Carrying two invaluable carry-over points from the group stage, the Rhinos booked their ticket with two heart-stopping, final-ball victories that tested the nerves of their most ardent supporters.
Against the UAE, the game spiralled to the last three deliveries with the Emiratis needing just three runs. A soaring six off the bat of Dhruv Parashar had momentarily put Nepal on the back foot, but a spectacular catch hit to Sundeep Jora, followed by back-to-back run-outs, engineered a famous, last-gasp triumph.
The following day brought another firefight. Chasing 148, Qatar seemed firmly in control at 97/1 inside 12 overs. Enter the maestro, Sandeep Lamichhane. The leg-spin wizard delivered a devastating spell of 5/18, sparking a catastrophic collapse that saw Qatar crumble just five runs short of the target, leaving Rohit Paudel's men celebrating another miraculous escape.
Oman's Resilient Charge
Oman's journey was arguably less fraught with peril, yet equally effective. Matching Nepal with two Super Six carry-over points, they cruised to a commanding defence of 172 against Qatar before facing a stiffer challenge from the UAE. It was the steely resolve and powerful strokeplay of Nadeem Khan that rescued the hosts when the pressure mounted. With calculated aggression, he targeted Muhammad Arfan, smashing a four and a six on consecutive balls to steer Oman across the finish line with two deliveries to spare. The home side's professional execution ensured their return to the global stage.
The Race for the Final Spot
With two doors slammed shut, the battle for the final T20 World Cup berth intensifies. The United Arab Emirates currently holds the third position after a decisive win over Samoa. They now face a pivotal, must-win fixture against a spirited Japan side eager to bounce back from their own narrow, final-over defeat to Qatar. Meanwhile, Qatar remains mathematically alive but precariously placed. Their audacious win against Japan—a match where they needed an improbable 32 off the final three overs—showed their fighting spirit, highlighted by the late-game heroics of Muhammad Ikramullah and Daniel Archer. A win against Samoa on Thursday, coupled with a favourable net run rate swing, is their only path forward. For the Samoans, the dream is over. Unable to replicate the stellar form that saw them conquer regional rivals Papua New Guinea in the group stage, they have been mathematically eliminated from the top-three race. The final days of the qualifier promise more high-octane cricket, but for Nepal and Oman, the mission is complete. Their flags will fly high in India and Sri Lanka come 2026.
