Nepal and Oman will be at the 2026 T20 World Cup in India and Sri Lanka after results in Al Amerat locked them into the top two spots of the Asia-EAP Qualifier. The pair reached the tournament with a match to spare, their places confirmed when the UAE brushed aside Samoa by 77 runs earlier on Tuesday.
That UAE victory left the Emiratis third in the Super Six table on four points. Nepal and Oman both have six, separated only by net run-rate before they meet in what is now a dead-rubber for qualification but still decisive for seeding.
“It’s a special feeling knowing we’re through already,” Nepal wrist-spinner Sandeep Lamichhane said. “We’ve played good cricket, but there’s work ahead if we want to compete with the big boys next year.”
Lamichhane has again been Nepal’s focal point with the ball. His ten wickets have cost just 9.40 runs apiece, and the leg-spinner’s 5 for 18 against Qatar effectively wrapped up that contest when they were chasing 148.
Oman’s left-arm seamer Jiten Ramanandi sits fourth on the wicket charts with seven at an economy of 5.90. Captain Zeeshan Maqsood praised the newcomer’s impact: “He hits that hard length and gives us control in the middle overs.”
Ramanandi had already caught the eye at the Asia Cup, dismissing Abhishek Sharma and Tilak Varma against India, and has carried that rhythm into the qualifier.
UAE still control their own destiny. Beat Japan on 16 October and they will claim the third and final Asia-EAP ticket for 2026. Head coach Paul Franks kept things simple: “We can’t rely on others. Win and we go. That’s the job.”
For Nepal and Oman, attention now shifts to fine-tuning. They have the result they wanted; the next 12 months will be about ensuring they arrive in India and Sri Lanka ready to do more than just make up the numbers.
