Before the Final of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup Asia Qualifier Regional Final 2023, two Asian teams have booked their places for the next ICC Men’s T20 World Cup in 2024 in West Indies and USA. By winning their respective Semi-finals in the Regional Final event, hosts Nepal and Oman secured their spots for the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2024.
Oman and the hosts Nepal both qualified for the Semi-finals after finishing in the first and second places, respectively, at the end of Group A.
On November 3, 2023, Oman faced the Group B runners-up Bahrain, and the hosts Nepal met the Group B champions United Arab Emirates (UAE) in the Semi-finals. Both the Semi-final winners would qualify for the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2024 as well as the Final of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup Asia Qualifier Final 2023, which was scheduled on November 5, 2023.
1st Semi-Final: Oman vs Bahrain
In the first Semi-Final, after Bahrain chose to bat first, they were restricted to 106/9 in 20 overs. While the Oman spinner Aqib Ilyas claimed a four-wicket haul (4/10), only three Bahrain players managed double-digit scores (Imran Ali 30, Ahmer Bin Nisar 26*, Sarfaraz Ali 23).
In reply, Oman openers Kashyap Prajapati (57*) and Pratik Athavale (50*) had no trouble chasing as they reached the target in 14.2 overs without losing a wicket.
2nd Semi-Final: UAE vs Nepal
On the other hand, UAE chose to bat first after winning the toss against the hosts Nepal in the second Semi-Final. Wicketkeeper-batter Vriitya Aravind’s 64 runs guided the Group B champions to score 134/9 in 20 overs. Kushal Malla took three wickets (3/11), and Sandeep Lamichhane collected two wickets (2/14).
However, the hosts Nepal managed a comfortable chasing in front of the large passionate crowd. Opener and wicketkeeper-batter Aasif Sheikh remained not out on 64 runs as his batting inspired the entire nation with an eight-wicket victory in 17.1 overs.
ICC Men’s T20 World Cup Asia Qualifier Final 2024
(Group A)
Team | Matches | Won | Lost | Tied | No Result | Points | Net Run Rate |
Oman (Q) | 3 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 6 | +0.983 |
Nepal (Q) | 3 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 4 | +0.729 |
Malaysia | 3 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 2 | +0.187 |
Singapore | 3 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | −1.936 |
(Q=Qualified for Semi-Finals)
(Group B)
Team | Matches | Won | Lost | Tied | No Result | Points | Net Run Rate |
UAE (Q) | 3 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 6 | +1.445 |
Bahrain (Q) | 3 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 2 | -0.398 |
Hong Kong | 3 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 2 | -0.433 |
Kuwait | 3 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 2 | −0.649 |
(Q=Qualified for Semi-Finals)
Semi-Finals (Both the Semi-final winners qualify for the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2024)
November 3, 2023: Bahrain (106/9 in 20 overs) vs Oman (109/0 in 14.2 overs) – Oman won by 10 wickets
November 3, 2023: United Arab Emirates or UAE (134/9 in 20 overs) vs Nepal (135/2 in 17.1 overs) – Nepal won by 8 wickets
Final
November 5, 2023: Nepal vs Oman
