Kathmandu (HamroKhelkud) – Nepal have qualified for the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2024. Nepal booked their place for the global T20 spectacle in the Caribbean and the USA by qualifying for the final of the ICC T20 World Cup Asia Region final in Kathmandu.
Nepal defeated their rivals UAE by eight wickets in the semifinals. Chasing a target of 135 runs, Nepal got to the total in 17.1 overs at the loss of just two wickets.
Opener Aasif Sheikh remained unbeaten on 63 off 50 deliveries with six fours and two sixes to his name. Rohit Paudel remained unbeaten at the other end with 35 runs off 21 with three fours and a six. Opener Kushal Bhurtel departed after adding 11 runs in right deliveries with two fours in his innings. Gulshan Jha made a contribution of 22 runs in 24 deliveries with three fours.
Nilansh Keswani and Basil Hamid took one wicket each for the UAE.
Earlier, UAE, who won the toss and opted to field first, batted 20 overs to make 134 at the loss of nine wickets.
Vritya Aravind was the top scorer for the UAE and made 64 off 51 with eight fours and two sixes to his name. Opener and skipper Muhammad Waseem gave his side a strong start but could only manage a quickfire 26 off 16 with three fours and two sixes.
Alishan Sharafu made added 16 off 14 with three fours while Asif Khan made 13 runs off 14 with one four. The rest of the batters couldn’t get to the double figures.
Kushal Malla took three wickets for Nepal giving away just 11 runs in his three-over spell. Sandeep Lamichhane took two wickets in four overs with one wicket-maiden in the 18th over. Similarly, Sompal Kami and captain Rohit Paudel took one wicket each. Karan KC, Gulshan Jha and Abinash Bohora remained wicketless for Nepal.
Nepal will now take on Oman in the final for the title. Oman defeated Bahrain by ten wickets in the other semifinal to book their place in the tournament final as well as in the ICC T20 World Cup next year. Oman chased down a target of 107 runs in 14.1 overs at the loss of no wickets.
