Nepal And Oman have officially confirmed their qualification for the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 In India And Sri Lanka after dominant performances in the Asia-East Asia (EAP) Qualification held in Al Amerat.
Nepal and Oman clinch their places for the 2026 T20 World Cup
Their impressive consistency throughout the group stages and Super Six saw them book their flights for next year’s mega-event even before their highly anticipated clash. The qualification took place hours after the UAE’s emphatic 77-point victory against Samoa which mathematically confirmed that Nepal and Oman would finish in the top three positions of the Super Six points table.
Nepal’s campaign was driven by the genius of a star player Sandeep Lamichhane whose victories once again highlighted his vital role in Nepal’s bowling attack. With ten wickets in just four innings at an average of 9.40 and a miserable economy rate of less than six, Lamichhane’s spell of five for eighteen against Qatar was a remarkable performance that dismantled the opposition’s chase and ensured a memorable victory.
Led by a balanced unit comprising Dipendra Singh Airee, Kushal BhurtelAnd Asif ShaikhNepal remained undefeated in the group stage and continued their momentum in the Super Six stage. Their thrilling last-ball victory against United Arab Emirates and another narrow victory against Qatar demonstrated both composure and tactical discipline at crucial moments. These victories not only secured their place at the T20 World Cup but also reinforced their growing reputation as a strong Associate Cricket nation capable of challenging top teams.
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UAE eyes final qualification spot
With Nepal and Oman having confirmed their tickets, the UAE now faces the decisive task of clinching the final qualifying spot in the Asia-EAP region. Their dominant performance against Samoa revived hopes after previous setbacks in the Super Six round. Currently third with four points, UAE’s final league match against Japan October 16 has become a virtual knockout match that will determine whether they will accompany Nepal and Oman in next year’s tournament. The Emiratis will rely heavily on their experienced core of Mohammed Waseem, Basil HameedAnd Zahor Khan deliver under pressure.
For Oman, left arm crimper Jiten Ramanandi played a key role in their qualification journey. With seven wickets in four innings at an impressive economy rate of 5.90, his early breakthroughs consistently set up matches in Oman’s favor. The bowler had also shown remarkable form earlier this year in the Asia Cup, where he dismissed India’s best batters. Abhishek Sharma And Tilak Varma. Supported by a consistent stick of Zeeshan Maqsood And Aqib IlyasOman maintained their composure even during high-pressure encounters, illustrating their steady progression on the international stage.
The Asia-EAP Qualifiers was one of the most competitive regional events, with five of the first six Super Six matches advancing to the finals. Nepal’s resilience, Oman’s tactical clarity and the UAE’s late surge highlight the extent to which the associated Asian nations have progressed in the shortest format. With Nepal and Oman joining the lineup for the 2026 T20 World Cup, attention now turns to the decisive UAE clash which will complete the region’s trio en route to cricket’s biggest stage.
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