NEW DELHI: Nepal and Oman have sealed their spots for next year’s ICC Men’s T20 World Cup after confirming top-three finishes in the Asia/East Asia-Pacific Qualifier, even before their Super Six clash.

With UAE beating Samoa and scheduled to face Japan next, both Oman and Nepal’s qualification for the 2026 showpiece was assured regardless of their final Super Six results.

The Super Six stage has produced thrilling finishes, with five of the first six matches going down to the wire. Nepal prevailed in two last-over thrillers to punch their ticket to the World Cup.

Unbeaten in the group phase, Nepal carried two points into the Super Six and pulled off dramatic, final-ball wins over UAE and Qatar.

In the tense clash against UAE, Dipendra Singh Airee was hit for a six by Dhruv Parashar to leave just three runs needed off the last three balls. But Airee held his nerve — a catch to Sundeep Jora and two successive run-outs turned the tide as Nepal snatched victory in stunning fashion.

A day later, Rohit Paudel’s side did it again. Qatar, chasing 148, were cruising at 97 for 1 before Sandeep Lamichhane (5/18) triggered a collapse. The Qatar batters fell apart, leaving themselves with too much to chase and handing Nepal another remarkable win.

Oman, who also carried two points into the Super Six, eased past Qatar by defending 172 and then edged UAE in a tense finish. Nadeem Khan’s late fireworks guided them home with two balls to spare.

UAE sit third after their dominant win over Samoa and will face Japan next in a must-win contest following their earlier heartbreak against Qatar. In that match, needing 32 off three overs with three wickets in hand, Qatar pulled off a stunning chase — Muhammad Ikramullah (16* off 9) and Daniel Archer (12* off 8) finishing the job with two balls to go.

Samoa, despite upsetting Papua New Guinea in the group stage, have been knocked out of top-three contention. Qatar still have a slim chance but must beat Samoa on Thursday and hope other results — and the net run rate — fall in their favour.

(PTI Inputs)