Nepal will face the United Arab Emirates in the semi-finals of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2024 Asia Qualifier after the Rhinos lost to Oman by five runs in a last-ball thriller at the TU Cricket Ground in Kirtipur, Kathmandu on Thursday.

Chasing 146 to win, Nepal’s batting collapsed dramatically and plunged to 85-8 in 16 overs after Aasif Sheikh (5), Sompal Kami (12), Rohit Paudel (12), Kushal Malla (10), Gulsan Jha (3), Sundeep Jora (12) and Sandeep Lamichhane (2) all departed cheaply.

Kushal Bhurtel’s 26 runs off 18 balls stood tall until a steely Bibek Yadav (24-ball 39) showed what he is made of, pushing the contest to the last over.

Needing 26 runs off the last six balls, the number-seven batter Yadav hit three consecutive sixes off Bilal Khan to reignite Nepal’s hopes of a dramatic comeback but he was caught by Ayaan Khan in the fourth ball.

Abinash Bohara took one run to pass the strike to Karan KC, who needed a six off the last ball to complete the win, but Kaleemullah caught him in the deep as Nepal fell five runs short.

During the fightback, KC (15) and Yadav also shared a 54-run stand—Nepal’s highest partnership for the ninth wicket in a T20I that eclipsed the 43-run stand made by Shakti Guachan and Kami against Hong Kong in November 2014.

Bikal Khan took 3-30 for Oman while Shakeel Ahmed, Mehran Khan and Aqib Ilyas took two wickets apiece. Captain Zeeshan Maqsood also pocketed one.

The outcome gave Oman top position in Group A and a semi-final clash against Bahrain, who secured the second spot despite losing to Kuwait by four wickets at Mulpani Cricket Ground.

For Nepal, it will be a rematch of the 2022 T20 World Cup Global Qualifier A semi-finals, where they had lost to the UAE by 68 runs to miss out on the World Cup. Nepal will also be heading to the semi-finals against the UAE after losing against them by four wickets in the Tri-Nation Series final on October 18.

Monty Desai’s Nepal are bidding to reach the World Cup for the first time since T20 World Cup 2014 in Bangladesh and now need to quickly gather up pieces to avoid the ghosts of last year’s deciding qualifier battle.

Earlier, Oman posted 145-9 after being sent in to bat first. Maqsood top-scored for Oman with 32 runs off 26 balls. Naseem Khushi contributed 25, Pratik Athavale 24 and Ahmed played not out 22.

KC was the pick of Nepal bowling with the figures of 3-43. Kami and Sandeep Lamichhane took two wickets each while Jha and Bohara picked one apiece.

In Group B, the UAE defeated Hong Kong by 22 runs to progress into the last four as group winners. The UAE, who were sent in to bat first after losing the toss, posted 176-6 after Basil Hameed’s quick-fire half-century (51 runs off 29 balls) was accompanied by captain Muhammad Waseem’s 46 and Alishan Sharafu’s 34.

In reply, Anshy Rath (59 runs off 47 balls) and Nizakat Khan (25 runs off 22 balls) gave Hong Kong a good start but could only post 154-8 after their batters failed to make the most of it.

The semi-finals take place on Friday. Nepal face the UAE at Mulpani while Oman take on Bahrain at Kirtipur.

The two finalists will qualify for the T20 World Cup 2024, which is being co-hosted by the United States and West Indies from June 4 to 30 next year.