On Thursday morning, the Nepalese Cricket Team is set to compete against Oman in the final group-stage match of the ICC T20 World Cup Asia Qualifier. Both Nepal and Oman have secured two victories each, ensuring their places in the tournament’s semifinals
However, the contest carries significant importance for both teams as the outcome of this match will determine the group’s winner and runner-up. The team that clinches the top spot in Group A will go up against the second-place finisher from Group B, while the second-place team will challenge the group winner from the other side.
The two leading teams in the Asia Qualifier will secure berths in the upcoming T20 World Cup in 2024. Therefore, emerging victorious in the semifinals is the key to guaranteeing a place in the World Cup. This is why every team are closely scrutinizing the semifinal fixture.
Top four scenarios:
As Malaysia and Singapore are already out of Group A, a win will see Nepal top Group A and Oman finish second and vice versa.
Kuwait has been eliminated from the semifinal competition from Group B, leaving UAE, Hong Kong, and Bahrain to battle it out for the two available semifinal spots.
UAE and Hong Kong will battle whilst Bahrain will play against Kuwait in the final round of Group B.
UAE having won two matches and standing with a decent NRR holds a good chance of sailing through to the semis despite a defeat against Hong Kong. Meanwhile, Bahrain has to beat Kuwait and wants UAE to defeat HK to ensure their spot (or else NRR will come into play).
Nepal’s possible fixture in the semi-final if Nepal defeat Oman:
Nepal vs UAE:
- UAE’s big loss vs HK and Bahrain’s big win vs Kuwait (Bahrain could finish first and UAE second)
- UAE’s big loss vs HK and Bahrain’s loss vs Kuwait
Nepal vs Bahrain:
- UAE win vs HK and Bahrain win vs Kuwait
- UAE’s narrow defeat vs HK and Bahrain’s narrow win vs Kuwait
Nepal vs Hong Kong:
- Hong Kong’s close win vs UAE and Bahrain’s loss vs Kuwait
- Hong Kong’s big win vs UAE and Bahrain’s big win vs Kuwait
Nepal’s possible fixture in the semi-final if Nepal lose against Oman:
Nepal vs UAE:
- UAE win vs Hong Kong
Nepal vs Hong Kong
- Big win for Hong Kong vs UAE
Nepal vs Bahrain
- Big win for Bahrain vs Kuwait and big loss for UAE against HK
Nepal vs Oman – Match details:
Date: November 2 (Thursday)
Venue: TU Cricket Ground, Kathmandu
Time: 9:00 AM (NST)
Live coverage: Kantipur Television HD and Kantipur Cineplex YouTube channel
Live score: You can cover the live score at cricnepal.com
Head to Head
Nepal and Oman have met four times in T20I. Nepal has emerged victorious three times while Oman has won one match. Notably, all four matches were played in Oman.
Thursday’s match will be the first Nepal-Oman T20I match on Nepalese soil.
In Case You Don’t Know: Dipendra Singh Airee is ruled out of the tournament due to an injury.
Nepal’s Squad:
Rohit Paudel (c), Kushal Bhurtel, Aasif Sheikh (wk), Kushal Malla, Dipendra Singh Airee, Sundeep Jora, Gulshan Jha, Bibek Yadav, Binod Bhandari (wk), Pratish GC, Karan KC, Sompal Kami, Sandeep Lamichhane, Abinash Bohara, Lalit Rajbanshi.
