Kathmandu : Nepal has registered an eight-wicket win against UAE in the semi-final match of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup Asia Qualifier final on Friday.

With this win, Nepal has qualified for T20 World Cup cricket to be held in West Indies and United States of America in 2024.

This is the second time that Nepal has been selected for the T20 World Cup cricket. Earlier, Nepal had participated in the T20 World Cup cricket held in Bangladesh in 2014.

Chasing the 135-run target set by UAE at the Upper Mulpani Cricket Ground, Nepal reached it losing two wickets in 17.1 overs. Aasif Sheikh topped the score with 63 runs including six fours and two sixes off 50 balls. Gulsan Jha made 22 runs while skipper Rohit Paudel contributed 35 runs.

In reply, Nilansh Keswani and Basil Hameed grabbed one wicket each for UAE.

Earlier, electing to bat first after winning the toss, UAE notched up 134 runs losing 9 wickets in the allotted 20 overs.

Vriitya Aravind is the top scorer with 64 runs including 8 fours and 2 sixes off 51 balls. Similarly, Muhammad Waseem (c) made 26 runs including three fours and two sixes off 16 balls.

Alishan Sharafu contributed 16 runs while Asif Khan scored 13 runs. The other batsmen could not score double-digit runs. 

In reply, Kushal Malla grabbed three and Sandeep Lamichhane took two wickets for Nepal. Sompal Kami, and Rohit Paudel claimed one wicket each.

Similarly, Oman has qualified for T20 World Cup cricket. Oman defeated Bahrain by 10 wickets in the semi-final match held at TU Cricket Ground in Kirtipur.