Nepal Crowned ICC T20 World Cup Asia & EAP Qualifier Champions After Dominant Win Over Samoa
Al Amerat, Oman – Nepal secured their place in the 2026 ICC Men’s T20 World cup and clinched the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup Asia and East Asia-Pacific Qualifier title on Friday, defeating Samoa by a resounding 124 runs at Al Amerat Cricket ground. the victory capped an undefeated run for the Nepali team, having won all matches throughout both the group stage and the Super Six round. this marks Nepal’s largest tournament win organized by the International Cricket Council (ICC).
Nepal’s previous significant ICC victory was the Eastern regional tournament held in Malaysia in October 2018,which served as a qualifier for the T20 World Cup Asia Qualifier. This qualification secures Nepal’s second consecutive appearance in the T20 World Cup, following their debut in the tournament in 2014.
After winning the toss and electing to bat, Nepal posted a formidable 211 for four in their 20 overs. Kushal Bhurtel contributed 17 runs off 15 balls before being dismissed with the score at 63 in the seventh over. Aasif Sheikh then anchored the innings, scoring 69 off 41 balls, including seven fours and four sixes, bringing the total to 110 for two. Aarif Sheikh added nine runs before Dipendra Singh Airee accelerated the scoring with a swift 53 off 33 balls. rohit Paudel remained unbeaten on 21 off 12 deliveries, and Lokesh Bam finished strongly with 39 not out from just 12 balls, propelling Nepal past 210.
Samoa’s reply faltered from the start, with wickets falling consistently. Darius Visser was out for four, and top-order batsmen Benjamin Mailata and Solomon Nash were dismissed cheaply. Sean Solia top-scored for Samoa with 40 runs, but the team struggled to build partnerships.
Lalit Rajbanshi was the pick of the Nepali bowlers, claiming three wickets. Sandeep Lamichhane, Karan KC, and Rohit Paudel each took one wicket as Samoa were bowled out for 87 in 20 overs, falling 124 runs short of Nepal’s total.
