Himal Press 
KATHMANDU: Nepal defeated Samoa by 124 runs in their final game of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup East Asia Pacific Qualifier at Al Amerat, Oman, on Friday.
This sixth victory in six games means Nepal finish their ICC Men’s T20 World Cup East Asia Pacific Qualifier undefeated and in the first position.
Nepal, Oman and the UAE have qualified for the 2026 Men’s T20 World Cup to be hosted jointly by India and Sri Lanka from the East Asia Pacific Qualifier.
They join India, Sri Lanka, Afghanistan, Australia, Bangladesh, England, South Africa, the United States, the West Indies, Ireland, New Zealand, Pakistan, Canada, Italy, the Netherlands, Namibia, Zimbabwe, Oman and the UAE.
Batting first, Nepal scored 211 runs for the loss of four wickets, helped by half-centuries from Aasif Sheikh and Dipendra Singh Airee. Aasif scored 69 off 41 balls, while Airee contributed 53 off 33 balls. A late cameo from Lokesh Bam, who scored 39 off just 12 balls, lifted Nepal past 200 runs. Rohit Paudel and Aarif Shiekh chipped in with 21 and nine runs, respectively.
Daniel Burgess, Saumani Tiai, Darius Visser and Noah Mead took a wicket each for Samoa.
Chasing 212 runs, Samoa folded for 87 runs for the loss of four wickets. Openr Sean Solia scored 40 off 37 balls, while Benjamin Mailata contributed 11 runs. Other Samoan batters failed to reach double digits.
Lalit Rajbanshi picked up three wickets for Nepal, while Karan KC, Sandeep Lamichhane and Rohit Paudel contributed a wicket each.
