By a Staff Reporter
Muscat – Nepal defeated Oman on Thursday to secure the third position in the ICC T20 World Cup Global Qualifiers.
Nepal wrapped up their qualifiers with a 9 wicket victory over the hosts.
Nepal, who were given a modest target of 88 runs for victory, met the target in 16.2 overs losing 1 wicket. Nepal’s opener Kushal Bhurtel remained unbeaten on 55 runs off 53 balls. His innings included 3 boundaries and 2 sixes. He completed five half centuries of his T20 career off the 42nd ball. He has become the most successful Nepali player to score the most half centuries in T20I.
Likewise, Aarif Sheikh, who hit the winning boundary, remained unbeaten on 21 runs off 27 balls. Opener Aasif Sheikh and Kushal Bhurtel had given a good start for Nepal with a 50-run partnership for the first wicket.
Earlier, Oman who opted to bat first after winning the toss at the Oman Cricket Academy Ground -2, made 87 runs in 20 overs losing 9 wickets. Oman’s captain Jishan Maksud topscored 21 runs off 28 balls for his side. Likewise, Kalimullah scored 15 runs but no other batsman was able to perform well in the batting discipline.
Nepal’s skipper Sandeep Lamichhane bagged 3 wickets while Kamal Singh Airee, Avinash Bohara, Aarif Sheikh and Sagar Dhakal took a wicket each.
Nepal missed a chance to qualify for the upcoming T20 World Cup to be held in Australia in October/November after they lost their must-win semifinal match against the UAE on Tuesday.
