(Image source: X.com)
[Saba Sports News] After defeating Bahrain and the UAE in the Asia qualifier semi-finals on Friday respectively, Oman and Nepal confirmed their tickets for the 2024 men’s T20 World Cup, which will take place in the West Indies and the USA.
On Friday, Nepal handed the UAE an eight-wicket loss at Mulpani Cricket Ground, while Oman defeated Bahrain by 10 wickets. With that, Nepal and Oman became the 17th and 18th teams to qualify for the 20-side T20I World Cup 2024. Remarkably, this marked the second qualification for Nepal, the last being in 2014, and the third qualification for Oman, following their successes in 2016 and 2021 in the ICC T20 World Cup.
West Indies and the USA secured automatic qualification for the biennial tournament as they were chosen as the co-hosts. Additionally, the top eight teams from the 2022 T20 World Cup edition, including Australia, England, India, New Zealand, Netherlands, Pakistan, South Africa and Sri Lanka have already confirmed their participation in next year’s competition. Afghanistan and Bangladesh have earned their spots as well.
Ireland and Scotland secured their positions through the European qualifiers, Papua New Guinea emerged as the victors in the East Asia-Pacific region and Canada earned their spot through the Americas region qualifiers. The final two vacant places (19th and 20th) will be determined by the end of November following the conclusion of the Africa qualifier.
In the first semi-final of the Asia qualifier between Bahrain and Oman, Bahrain, led by Umer Toor, managed to post a modest total of 106 runs in their allotted 20 overs, losing nine wickets in the process. Oman’s part-time spinner Aqib Ilyas turned out to be the star of the bowling attack, taking four wickets in his spell while conceding just 10 runs.
In the run-chase, Oman’s opening pair of Kashyap Prajapati and Pratik Athavale demonstrated their prowess by comfortably reaching the target in just 14.2 overs. They remained unbeaten till the end of the innings, with Kashyap scoring 57 runs off 44 balls and Pratik contributing 50 runs off 42 deliveries.
On the other hand, in the second semi-final, the United Arab Emirates (UAE) set a target of 135 runs for Nepal, with Vriitya Aravind playing a pivotal role with his impressive 64-run knock from 51 balls. Nepal’s chase got off to a shaky start, losing two wickets with only 67 runs on the board in 9.3 overs.
Despite the early setbacks, Nepal’s wicketkeeper-batter Aasif Sheikh played a brilliant unbeaten innings of 64 runs off 51 balls. Captain Rohit Paudel also played a crucial role with his cameo knock of 34 runs, helping Nepal successfully cross the finish line in just 17.1 overs.