Kathmandu: Oman clinched the title of the ICC T20 World Cup Asia Qualifier by defeating Nepal in a thrilling super over by 11 runs at the Tribhuvan University International Cricket Ground in Kirtipur. After tying at 184 runs in their respective 20 overs, the match was sent into a super over.
In the super over, Oman batted first and set a target of 22 runs for Nepal. In response, Nepal lost the wicket of Kushal Bhurtel on the very first ball. They managed to score two runs each on the third and fourth balls, and Kushal Malla hit two boundaries in the fifth and sixth balls.
Nepal had initially scored 184 runs for the loss of six wickets after winning the toss and electing to bat. In their chase of 185 runs, Oman reached the same score in 20 overs, leading to the super over.
For Oman, Kashyap Prajapati was the top scorer with 63 runs from 52 balls, including four sixes and three fours. Captain Zeeshan Maqsood contributed 26 runs from 18 balls with two boundaries and one six. Aqib Ilyas added 33 runs from 19 balls with three sixes and two fours, while Pratik Athavale scored seven.
Sandeep Lamichhane and Karan KC took two wickets each for Nepal, while Sompal Kami, Gulshan Jha, Abinash Bohora, and Bibek Yadav claimed one wicket each.
For Nepal, Gulshan Jha was the top scorer with 54 runs from 25 balls, featuring four sixes and five boundaries. Skipper Rohit Poudel remained unbeaten with 52 runs, including two sixes and five fours.
Nepal had to part ways with Asif Sheikh as their first wicket, contributing six runs from six balls. Similarly, Nepal lost Sandip Jora as their second wicket, making four runs from 13 balls. Lamichhane was bowled out by Maqsood, and Kushal Bhurtel was Nepal's fourth wicket to fall, scoring 31 runs from 22 balls with three fours and two sixes. Nepal's fourth wicket, Malla, was run out after scoring three runs. Yadav managed to make three runs before being dismissed, while KC remained unbeaten with 20 runs.
On the bowling side, Bilal Khan of Oman took three wickets, while Aqib Ilyas claimed two. Maqsood took one wicket.
In the previous group stage match, Nepal had lost to Oman by five wickets.
