Oman defeats Nepal in a thrilling super over

KATHMANDU: Oman claimed the title of the ICC Men’s 2024 T20 World Cup Asia Qualifier Final in a thrilling super over showdown after the regulation 20-over game failed to separate the two sides at the TU International Cricket Stadium in Kathmandu on Sunday.

Batting first, Nepal managed to score 184 runs, losing nine wickets. Chasing 185 to win, Oman fell just one run short in allotted 20 overs.

In the super over, Naseem Khushi hit three sixes off Nepali medium pacer Abinash Bohora, helping Oman amass 21 runs. Nepal needed to score 22 runs to lift the title. However, the hosts lost Kushal Bhurtel on the very first ball of the super over, and Gulshan Jha and Kushal Malla could only manage to score 10 runs.

Both teams have already secured their spots in the upcoming ICC T20 World Cup scheduled to be held next year in the West Indies and the US.

Nepal began their innings on a somewhat subdued note, with the team scoring just 60 runs and losing four wickets in the first 10 overs. However, Captain Rohit Poudel and Gulshan Jha notched up half-centuries, and Karan KC’s late flourish pushed the total to 184. Jha reached his maiden T20I half-century, scoring 54 runs off 25 balls, including four sixes and five fours, before getting caught by Shakeel Ahmed off Bilal Khan. Poudel achieved his fifth T20I half-century with a 37-ball 52 which included two sixes and five fours. Karan KC contributed 20 runs from 6 balls. His innings included two sixes and one four.

Bilal Khan took three wickets for Oman, while Aqib Ilyas and Zeeshan Maqsood claimed two and one wicket, respectively.

Oman made a blazing start in the chase despite losing opener Prathik Athavale for just 7 runs. Opener Kashyap Prajapati led Oman’s charge with a 52-ball 63, and Aqib Ilyas added 33 runs from 19 balls. Captain Zeeshan Maqsood and Mohammed Nadeem contributed 26 and 24 runs, respectively.

Karan KC and Sandeep Lamichhane each took two wickets for Nepal, while Sompal Kami, Gulshan Jha, Abinash Bohara, and Bibek Yadav each claimed one wicket.
Nepal Captain Rohit Poudel said it was a very good match for the crowd. “We were poor in the powerplay. Nevertheless, we made a comeback,” he added.

Oman Captain Zeeshan Maqsood said they were happy to win the title. “We came for the cup, and won it. Associate Asian teams have the potential and show what they are capable of,” he added.

Individual Awards:
Player of the Series: Aqib Iliyas (Oman)
Best Bowler: Bilal Khan (Oman)
Best Batter: Kushal Bhurtel (Nepal)