Nepal crush Samoa by 124 runs to win the Qualifier

Nine teams competed in the Asia & EAP Qualifier for three spots in the 2026 T20 World Cup. Nepal, Oman and the UAE secured the three seats, with the Rhinos unbeaten. Nepal crush Samoa by 124 runs to win the Qualifier

Nepali cricketers celebrate winning the Asia & EAP Qualifier tournament after beating Samoa in Al Amerat, Oman, on Friday. Nepal emerged champions unbeaten, as they march towards the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup to be held next year in India and Sri Lanka. Photo: Courtesy of CAN

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Published at : October 18, 2025

Updated at : October 18, 2025 06:48

Kathmandu

The Rhinos did not only march to the 2026 ICC Men’s T20 World Cup as one of the three teams from the Asia & EAP Qualifier between nine teams; they won the tournament as well, becoming the only unbeaten team in the event.

Nepal topped the group comprising Kuwait and Japan and defeated the UAE, Qatar and Oman in the Super 6, before hammering Samoa in the final match of the Qualifier in Al Amerat, Oman, on Friday.

Winning the toss, Samoa elected to field first against Nepal. The Rhinos posted a humongous total of 211/4, the second highest total in the Qualifier.

Aasif Sheikh and Dipendra Singh Airee were the two half-centurions for Nepal, departing as the second and fourth wickets after contributing 69 off 41 and 53 off 33, respectively. Sheikh was adjudged the Player of the Match.

Nepali fans, who were present in big numbers in every match of the Qualifier, were the 12th man for the Rhinos throughout the tournament in Al Amerat, Oman. Photo: Courtesy of CAN

Similarly, Lokesh Bam, skipper Rohit Kumar Paudel and opener Kushal Bhurtel also added 39 off 12, 21 off 12 and 17 off 15, respectively.

In turn, Samoa, who did not field former New Zealand great Ross Taylor against Nepal, only saw their opener Sean Solia with a decent score; he added 40 off 37 before departing as the sixth wicket in 18.1 overs, with the team at 79/6.

Lalit Narayan Rajbanshi was the highest wicket-taker for Nepal, claiming three wickets and giving away only 13 runs in his four-over spell. Sandeep Lamichhane, Paudel and Karan KC, who was finally in the playing set, bagged one each as Samoa could only manage 87/7 in the allotted overs.

Meanwhile, four Nepali players made it to the Best XI of the tournament. Opener Kushal Bhurtel, all-rounders Dipendra Singh Airee and Gulshan Kumar Jha, and spinner Lamichhane were in the list.

Nepal will play the 10th edition of the T20 World Cup being co-hosted by India and Sri Lanka between 20 teams from February 7 to March 8. It will be the Rhinos’ third World Cup, and the first back-to-back.

Paudel, who finally had a big smile in the post-match conference, said that the team was excited to head to India and Sri Lanka for the main event.

“We will do better in the upcoming World Cup,” Paudel said. “We expect that we could bring happiness to our fans. And we hope to spread more joy in the World Cup.”