Kathmandu: Nepal secured place in the Super Six stage of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup Asia and East Asia Pacific Qualifiers, joining Japan from Group ‘B’, with a game to spare on Thursday.

Nepal and Japan’s progression was confirmed after Japan defeated Kuwait by five wickets, handing the Gulf nation their second consecutive loss in the three-team group. Nepal had earlier outclassed Kuwait by 58 runs in their opening match on Wednesday.

Only the top two teams from each group advance to the Super Six round. Nepal and Japan will now face off in their final group-stage match on Friday to decide the group winners. Both teams are level on two points, having won their first games, but Nepal currently top the table thanks to a superior net run rate.

After winning the toss, Japan opted to field first and limited Kuwait to 177-6. In reply, Esam Rahman powered Japan’s chase with a brisk 64 off 39 balls, steering his side to 178-5 with three deliveries to spare.