Kathmandu: In a nail-biting match, Oman defeated Nepal by five runs in the final group stage match of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2024 Asia Qualifier at the TU Cricket Ground in Kirtipur on Thursday.
Winning the toss and opting to field first, the Rhinos restricted the Oman side to 145-9 in 20 overs. Chasing the total, the Nepali side lost wickets at regular intervals. Opener Aasif Sheikh was dismissed for a five runs in 2.1 overs.
Likewise, Sompal Kami was next to go after he was caught by Kashyap Prajapati off Shakeel Ahmad in 4.6 overs. Kami smashed a four and a six contributing a 9-ball 12. Opener Kushal Bhurtel hit a four and three sixes, putting 26 runs off 18 balls on the scoreboard. Captain Rohit Paudel was again dismissed cheaply 1o runs, and Kushal Malla was out for 10.
Similarly, Gulshan Jha departed scoring just 3 runs, leaving Nepal to 79-6. Bibek Yadav hit a 39 off 24 balls, taking Nepal close to the target. However, he was dismissed in 19.4 overs. Nepal needed six runs in the final balls, however, Karan KC was caught, and Nepal lost the game by five runs.
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