Nepal has qualified for the ICC T20 World Cup 2024 after a win against UAE in the semifinal of the T20 World Cup Asia Qualifier. This marks Nepal’s return to the T20 World Cup after a decade. They last featured in 2014’s edition in Bangladesh.
Two teams were set to qualify for the mega event from Asia Qualifier. Oman and Nepal, having won the semifinals have punched the ticket to the upcoming T20 World Cup 2024 in the USA and West Indies.
Following a target of 135 runs, Nepal reached a goal in 17.1 overs losing just two wickets. Aasif Sheikh was the star of the chase with an unbeaten 63 runs.
Sheikh smashed six fours and two sixes from his 50-ball inning. Rohit Paudel also played a vital knock. He scored the winning runs and remained not out with 21-ball 35 runs. Gulshan Jha contributed 22 runs while Kushal Bhurtel made 11 runs.
Earlier in the first inning, Nepal restricted UAE to 134 runs. UAE finished their 20 overs at 134/9 after a good bowling display from the home team.
Opting to bat first at Mulpani Cricket Ground, UAE had a quick start after Muhammad Waseem’s early attack. But Sompal Kami shifted the momentum towards Nepal effecting a run out and removing dangerous Waseem (for 26 runs) in the fourth over.
Nepal controlled the game after the departure of both openers. Vriitya Aravind anchored the inning but was dismissed when it was time for fireworks. He scored 64 runs from 51 balls before being dismissed in the last over.
Kushal Malla was the pick of a bowler for Nepal, he picked up three wickets and ended up with a figure of 3-0-11-3. Sandeep Lamichhane was also superb with a ball and produced a figure of 4-1-14-2.
