Nepal crush Samoa by 124 runs to finish unbeaten in T20 World Cup Qualifier

Nepal capped off their unbeaten run in the ICC Men's T20 World Cup Asia & EAP Qualifier 2025 with a resounding 124-run victory over Samoa in their final Super Six encounter at Al Amerat on Friday.

Batting first after being sent in, Nepal piled up a commanding 211/4 — their highest total of the tournament — before restricting Samoa to 87/7 in 20 overs to complete a dominant performance.

Opener Aasif Sheikh anchored Nepal's innings with a classy 69 off 41 balls, featuring seven fours and four sixes, earning him the Player of the Match award. He built crucial partnerships throughout the innings, first with Kushal Bhurtel (17 off 15) and later a 47-run stand with Dipendra Singh Airee, who played a fluent 53 off 33 balls.

Nepal's middle order continued the momentum, as captain Rohit Paudel chipped in with an unbeaten 21 off 12, while Lokesh Bam provided a blistering finish with an unbeaten 39 off just 12 balls, striking four sixes and three fours to take Nepal beyond the 200-mark.

Samoa's bowlers found little success on a placid surface, with Saumani Tiai (1/31) and Daniel Burgess (1/28) among the few to make breakthroughs.

In response, Samoa's chase never took off after early breakthroughs from Karan KC (1/18) and Sandeep Lamichhane (1/10). Left-arm spinner Lalit Rajbanshi was the standout, taking 3/13 in his four overs to dismantle the middle order.

Only opener Sean Solia offered resistance with 40 off 37 balls, but his dismissal in the 18th over ended any remaining hope for Samoa, who finished with 87/7.

Dipendra Singh Airee (1/15) and Rohit Paudel (1/14) also contributed with the ball as Nepal continued their dominant all-round display.