Nepal and Oman clinch qualification for ICC T20I World Cup 2026, UAE target the final spot

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Nepal and Oman have officially confirmed their qualification for the 2026 ICC Men’s T20 World Cup in India and Sri Lanka after dominant performances in the Asia-East Asia Pacific (EAP) Qualifier held in Al Amerat.

Their impressive consistency throughout both the group and Super Six stages ensured they booked their flights to next year’s mega event even before their highly anticipated clash. The qualification came hours after UAE’s emphatic 77-run win against Samoa which mathematically confirmed that both Nepal and Oman would finish inside the top three positions on the Super Six points table.

Nepal’s campaign was driven by the brilliance of star leg-spinner Sandeep Lamichhane whose match-winning spells once again underlined his vital role in Nepal’s bowling attack. With ten wickets in just four innings at an average of 9.40 and a miserly economy rate below six, Lamichhane’s spell of five for eighteen against Qatar was a standout performance that dismantled the opposition’s chase and secured a memorable victory.

Led by a balanced unit featuring Dipendra Singh Airee, Kushal Bhurtel, and Aasif Sheikh, Nepal remained unbeaten in the group stage and carried their momentum into the Super Six leg. Their thrilling last-ball victory over UAE and another close win against Qatar showcased both composure and tactical discipline at crucial moments. These wins not only secured their place at the T20 World Cup but also reinforced their growing reputation as a strong associate cricketing nation capable of challenging top-tier teams.

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While Nepal and Oman have confirmed their tickets, UAE now face the decisive task of claiming the final qualifying spot from the Asia-EAP region. Their dominant display against Samoa revived hopes after earlier setbacks in the Super Six round. Currently placed third with four points, UAE’s final league fixture against Japan on October 16 has become a virtual knockout that will determine whether they accompany Nepal and Oman in next year’s tournament. The Emiratis will rely heavily on their experienced core of Muhammad Waseem, Basil Hameed, and Zahoor Khan to deliver under pressure.

For Oman, left-arm seamer Jiten Ramanandi has been instrumental in their qualification journey. With seven wickets in four innings at an impressive economy rate of 5.90, his early breakthroughs consistently set up games in Oman’s favour. The bowler had also shown remarkable form earlier this year in the Asia Cup, where he dismissed India’s top-order batters Abhishek Sharma and Tilak Varma. Backed by consistent batting from Zeeshan Maqsood and Aqib Ilyas, Oman maintained their composure even in high-pressure encounters, illustrating their steady progression on the international stage.

The Asia-EAP Qualifier has been one of the most competitive regional events, with five of the first six Super Six matches going down to the final over. Nepal’s resilience, Oman’s tactical clarity, and UAE’s late surge highlight how far Asian associate nations have risen in the shortest format. With Nepal and Oman joining the 2026 T20 World Cup lineup, attention now turns to UAE’s deciding clash that will complete the region’s trio heading to cricket’s biggest stage.

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