Kathmandu: Nepal is on the verge of qualifying for the T20 World Cup 2026, jointly hosted by India and Sri Lanka, after securing a dramatic 5-run victory over Qatar on Monday.

Nepal Inches Toward Qualification

With this win, Nepal has strengthened its position in the Super Six stage, collecting 6 points, equal to Oman. Both teams are leading the table, while UAE and Japan have 2 points each. Nepal’s upcoming clash against Oman on Wednesday will officially determine its place in the World Cup.

Qatar Fall Short in Tight Chase

Chasing a target of 148 runs, Qatar were bowled out for 142 with one ball to spare. Despite being in a strong position at 97/1 after 12 overs, Qatar’s middle and lower order collapsed under pressure. Openers Imal Liyanage (56) and Zubair Ali (52) gave Qatar a solid start but failed to carry the momentum.

Nepal’s Bowling Brilliance

Star spinner Sandeep Lamichhane turned the game around with a remarkable 5-wicket haul, supported by Nandan Yadav (2 wickets) and Dipendra Singh Airee (1 wicket), as Nepal held their nerve in the final overs.

Captain Rohit Poudel Leads with the Bat

Earlier, after being sent to bat, Nepal posted 147/9 in 20 overs. Captain Rohit Poudel top-scored with a fluent 58 off 41 balls, while Dipendra Singh Airee contributed 26 runs. Lower-order efforts from Gulshan Jha (16) and Sompal Kami (14) added valuable runs.

Qatar’s Daniel Lewis and Mirza Baig impressed with the ball, taking 3 wickets each, but their efforts were not enough to prevent Nepal’s victory.

Road to the World Cup

Nepal entered the Super Six stage with 2 points and a bonus point, having earlier beaten the UAE by one run in a nail-biter. With momentum on their side, Nepal now need one more win to confirm their long-awaited T20 World Cup berth.