Nepal progressed into the high-stake semi-finals of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2024 Asia Qualifier with a game in hand after defeating Malaysia by six wickets at the TU Cricket Ground in Kathmandu on Tuesday.

Kushal Malla scored a half-century and Kushal Bhurtel continued his fine form with a 25-ball 43 as the Rhinos chased down Malaysia’s 165-9 total in 18 overs at the loss of four wickets.

Bhurtel, who scored a fifty in an eight-wicket win over Singapore in the tournament opener on Monday, put on a 49-run stand with Aasif Sheikh, who scored 32 runs off 23 balls, to give Nepal a bright start.

After Bhurtel departed in the sixth over, caught by Sharvin Muniandy off Pavandeep Singh, Malla smashed seven sixes and two fours in his explosive knock of 34-ball 65 and shared a 67-run partnership with Aasif to make the work easy.

Both Aasif and Kushal were caught and bowled by Muhammad Amir, who also dismissed captain Rohit Paudel for a cheap two.

But victory was already within reach and Sundeep Jora added 18 to finish off the game.

Earlier, Malaysia opener Syed Aziz scored 68 runs off 49 balls after electing to bat first and put on a 58-run opening stand with Zubaidi Zulkifle, who racked up 24 off 16 balls, to give Malaysia a solid start.

But once Zulkifle fell to Abinash Bohoara in the sixth over, Malaysia lost wickets at regular intervals, with Bohara taking three more, including the wickets of Muhammad Amir, Syazrul Idrus and Fitri Sham.

Gulsan Jha dismissed Aziz in the 15th over while Sandeep Lamichhane and Rohit Paudel took a wicket apiece.

Two wins in as many games give Nepal four points in Group A.

Oman also progressed into the semis after they defeated Singapore by 22 runs to register their second victory out of two matches.

Aqib Ilyas scored 63 runs off 35 balls and opener Pratik Athavale 42 off 32 balls to help Oman post a huge 174-6.

In reply, Singapore could only make 152-8.

Nepal now meet Oman on Thursday in their final group match that will decide the group winners.

The United Arab Emirates cemented their chance to advance into the semis from Group B after a five-wicket win over Kuwait gave them four points from two games.

Bahrain—on two points—also kept alive their hopes of advancing into the semis with a 20-run win over Hong Kong, who also have two points.

The UAE next face Hong Kong and Bahrain play Kuwait in Thursday’s deciding fixtures which will determine the two semi-finalists from Group B.

The two finalists will book their spot at the T20 World Cup 2024 in West Indies and United States.

Nepal are aiming to reach the World Cup for the first time since 2014. The T20 World Cup 2014 in Bangladesh was Nepal’s only appearance at a World Cup.