Oman Edges Out Nepal in Super-Over in Asian Qualifier Final 2023

In a dramatic and exciting final match that needed a super-over to decide the winner, Oman beat Nepal by winning the super-over in the Asian Qualifier Final after the scores were tied at the end of 20 overs of Oman innings who were chasing the target of 185, but could manage only 184.

Electing to bat first after winning the toss, Nepal made a competitive score of 184 for the loss of six wickets in their 20 overs. Gulshan Jha was the top scorer for Nepal with his 54 runs from just 25 balls. Captain Rohit Paudel also made an essential contribution of 52 runs from 37 balls and remained not out. Opener Kushal Bhurtel made 31 runs and Karan KC coming lower down the innings made a quickfire 20 from six balls.

For Oman, Bilal Khan was the most effective bowler. He took three wickets and gave just 26 runs in his four overs. Similarly, Aqib IIyas took two wickets and Zeeshan Maqsood took one wicket. Fayyaz Butt was the most expensive bowler for Oman as he leaked 63 runs in his four overs.

Chasing the target, Oman lost opener Pratik Athavale to Sompal Kami in the third over. But incoming batsman Aqib Ilyas and the other opener Kashyap Prajapati took control of the innings and made a partnership of 67 runs for the second wicket. But Nepal made a comeback in the game by taking some quick wickets. In the space of 15 balls, Oman went from 136 for 2 to 157 for 6. And then when it was looking like Nepal would win the match comfortably, Mohammad Nadeem scored a quick 24 from just 9 balls. Kashyap Prajapati top-scored for Oman with 63 runs from 52 balls.  

Needing 8 runs to win from the last over, Oman could make only seven thus resulting in the tie. For Nepal, other than Sompal Kami and Karan KC, who were a bit expensive, all bowlers bowled relatively well. Nepal's international superstar Sandeep Lamichhane was the most effective with his two wickets for 30 runs.

In the super-over, Oman set a target of 22 runs for Nepal. But Nepal could only make 10 runs. Kashyap Prajapati was named Player of the Match for his 63 runs and Aqib Ilyas was named Player of the Series for his all-round performance by scoring 106 runs and taking 10 wickets.

Though Nepal lost the final, the main takeaway from this tournament is securing a spot in the T20 World Cup in 2024. But the win could have further brought smiles and happiness to Nepalese cricket fans as they recently lost another final against UAE in the Tri-Nation Cup. The win could have also lessened the sorrow caused by the 6.4-magnitude earthquake just 2 days ago, though no amount of any such joy could replace that.