Oman set a target of 146 runs against Nepal in their final group match of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2024 Asia Qualifier being held at the TU Cricket Ground in Kirtipur on Thursday.

Sent to bat first after losing the toss, Oman lost their top order cheaply after opener Kashyap Prajapati was caught in the fifth delivery of the innings for 8 and Aqib Ilyas fell to Sompal Kami for a 6-ball 2.

Prajapati’s opening partner and wicketkeeper Pratik Athavale muscled two fours and a six in his 18-knock 24 before he was caught by Rohit Paudel off Gulsan Jha.

Likewise, Shoaib Khan was sent for a duck while facing his second delivery by Sompal Kami in 5.4 overs.

Ayan Khan was next to go after he was dismissed by Sandeep Lamichhane for a 25-knock 18 in 13.1 overs. Lamichhane scalped consecutive wickets as Mehran Khan was caught leg-before for a duck in the following delivery.

Oman captain Zeeshan Maqsood scored 33 runs, highest of the innings, facing 26 deliveries, guiding the visitors to 145-9 in the stipulated 20 overs. Maqsood smashed a four and three sixes before he was caught by Aasif Sheikh off Abinash Bohara in 14.4 overs.

Similarly, Nassem Khushi fired two hits to the fence and two sixes, contributing 25 runs in his 14-knock play. Tailender Kaleemullah managed a 6-ball 5 before being caught by Sompal Kami off Karan KC. Shakeel Ahmed also scored an unbeaten 22 runs facing 17 deliveries.

For Nepal, Karan KC collected three Omani scalps while Sompal Kami and Sandeep Lamichhane also dismissed two batters each. Gulsan Jha, and Abinash Boahara also managed to grab a wicket apiece.

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.