Kathmandu: Nepal moved a step closer to qualifying for the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup finals with a dramatic five-run win over Qatar in their second Super Six match of the World T20 Asia and East Asia Pacific Qualifiers at Turf 1 of Al Amerat Cricket Ground in Oman, on Monday.

Sent in to bat first, Nepal posted 147-9, powered by a gritty half-century from captain Rohit Paudel. In reply, Qatar were bowled out for 142 runs in the penultimate delivery despite half-centuries from openers Imal Liyanage and Zubair Ali. Leg-spinner Sandeep Lamichhane starred with the ball claiming 5-18 to turn the match in Nepal’s favour.

With their second win in the Super Six stage, Nepal now joins leaders Oman, both with six points from two wins. Nepal had carried over two points from their group-stage win against Japan, who also entered the Super Six, and edged out the UAE by one run in the Super Six encounter opener on Sunday.

The top three teams from the Super Six stage will secure qualification for next year’s T20 World Cup finals.

Paudel Leads From the Front
Skipper Rohit Paudel anchored the innings with a blazing 58 off 41 balls studded with seven boundaries and a six. His knock helped Nepal recover from early setbacks to post a competitive total.

Nepal endured a shaky start losing openers Kushal Bhurtel (6) and Aasif Sheikh (11) followed by Kushal Malla (8), and were struggling at 48-3. Paudel then stitched a vital 62-run partnership with Dipendra Singh Airee, who contributed 26 off 22 balls.

However, Airee’s dismissal at 110-4 triggered a mini-collapse, with Nepal losing three wickets for just six runs, including Paudel himself, and slipping to 116-7. Late cameos from Gulshan Jha (16 off 8, including two sixes) and Sompal Kami (14 off 9, including a six) lifted Nepal to 147.

For Qatar, captain Mirza Mohammed Baig and Daniel Archer were the standout bowlers, picking up three wickets apiece. Mirza returned 3-29 in four overs while Archer conceded 22 runs in his three-over spell.

Lamichhane Turns the Tide
Qatar got off to a flying start in their chase with both openers smashing half-centuries. Imal Liyanage blasted 56 off 35 balls including five boundaries and three sixes, sharing a 79-run opening stand with Zubair Ali before being bowled by Lamichhane in the 10th over.

Zubair Ali played a patient innings of 52 off 55 balls before falling in the 19th over. Muhammad Asim, the second wicket to fall, scored a quick 10 off 5 but was trapped leg-before by Lamichhane.

Asim’s dismissal at 97-2 triggered a dramatic collapse with Qatar losing their final nine wickets for just 45 runs. None of the other batters reached double figures.

The player-of-the-match Lamichhane finished with exceptional figures of 3.5-0-18-5. Nandan Yadav also claimed 2-29 in his four overs.