Nepal defeated the United Arab Emirates (UAE) by one run in a nail-biting Super Six clash of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup Asia & East Asia Pacific Qualifier at Muscat, Oman, on Sunday, taking a major step towards qualification for the 2026 T20 World Cup.

Put in to bat first after winning the toss, Nepal posted 140 for six in 20 overs.

Opener Aasif Sheikh top-scored with 51 off 47 balls, striking five boundaries and anchoring the innings. Despite a steady start, Nepal struggled to accelerate in the latter stages as UAE bowlers kept a tight line.

In reply, UAE required 10 runs off the final over, but Dipendra Singh Airee bowled a brilliant spell to concede just eight while taking three wickets. His composure under pressure turned the game in Nepal’s favour in dramatic fashion.

The over saw intense action: after allowing a single from the first two balls, Airee was hit for a six by Dhruv Parashar off the third. However, Parashar was caught near the boundary on the next delivery, followed by two run-outs—one by Sandeep Jora and the other from skipper Rohit Paudel’s sharp throw—that sealed Nepal’s thrilling win. UAE were bowled out for 139.

With this victory, both Nepal and Oman now stand on four points each in the Super Six standings.

Nepal will next face Qatar on Monday. A win in that fixture will all but confirm their spot in the T20 World Cup, scheduled to be held in India and Sri Lanka in February–March 2026.