Oman defeat Nepal by 5 runs

 Nepal were handed a 5-run loss in a nailbiter against Oman in their final group match of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2024 Asia Qualifier at the TU Cricket Ground in Kirtipur on Thursday.

                                    photo: TKP

The Rhinos, opting to field first after winning the toss, were chasing a 146-run target after limiting visitors Oman to 145-9 in the allotted 20 overs.

The Nepali batting line, however, crumbled, losing wickets cheaply in quick succession. Opener Aasif Sheikh was dismissed for a cheap 8-ball 5 after he was caught and bowled by Bilal Khan in 2.1 overs.

Sompal Kami was next to go after he was caught by Kashyap Prajapati off Shakeel Ahmad in 4.6 overs. Kami smashed a four and a six contributing a 9-ball 12.

Likewise, Sheikh’s opening partner Kushal Bhurtel muscled a four and three sixes, putting 26 runs off 18 balls on the scoreboard. Bhurtel fell to Mehran Khan in 5.5 overs.

Captain Rohit Paudel was dismissed for a lowly 12-ball 1o by Aib Ilyas while Kushal Malla was caught by Kaleemullah off Mehran Khan for 10.

Similarly, Gulsan Jha departed for a meagre 5-knock 3 after being caught by Oman captain Zeeshan Maqsood in 12.4 overs as Nepal tottered at 79-6.

Tailender Bibek Yadav put a 24-ball 39, highest of the innings, helping the hosts inch closer to the target, but he was caught Ayan Khan off Bilal Khan in 19.4 overs.

Nepal needed six runs in one ball to win with no wickets to spare. However, the hopes were shattered with the departure of Karan KC in the final ball of the innings. KC smashed a four and a six to contribute 15 runs facing 11 deliveries before being caught by Kaleemullah off Bilal Khan.