Nepal held their nerve to clinch a five-run victory over Qatar in a gripping Super Six encounter of the ICC Men's T20 World Cup Asia & EAP Qualifier 2025 at Al Amerat on Monday.
Sandeep Lamichhane produced a stunning spell of 5 for 18 in 3.5 overs, orchestrating a collapse that saw Qatar lose nine wickets for just 45 runs after a strong start.
Chasing 148 for victory, Qatar got off to a commanding start through Imal Liyanage and Zubair Ali, who added 79 runs for the opening wicket. Liyanage looked in sublime touch, smashing 56 off 35 balls with five fours and three sixes before he was bowled by Lamichhane in the final delivery of the 10th over — the leg-spinner's first over of the match.
Lamichhane struck again in his next over, trapping Muhammad Asim (10 off 5) leg-before, swinging the momentum back towards Nepal.
The real turning point came in the 14th over when Qatar lost two wickets in two balls to brilliant fielding efforts.
First, Dipendra Singh Airee hit the stumps directly to remove Mirza Mohammed Baig (2), and off the very next delivery, Mohammad Aadil Alam produced another run-out to dismiss Muhammad Tanveer without scoring.
Lamichhane continued to apply pressure, removing Shahzaib Jami (2) in his third over to reduce Qatar to 122/5.
Nandan Yadav, despite a costly first over, came back strongly to claim 2 for 29, including the crucial wicket of Zubair Ali, who made 52 off 55 balls before being caught by Gulshan Jha at third man in the 19th over.
That dismissal left Qatar needing 10 runs off the final over with two wickets in hand.
Remember the name,@Sandeep25
Need a cardiologist,Can’t do this everyday day.Four down,Few more to go.
One Dream,One Goal.🇳🇵@CricketNep #NepalCricket #WorldCupQualifiers pic.twitter.com/FhwsNGLSU1— Paras Khadka (@paras77) October 13, 2025
Lamichhane, returning to bowl the last over, held his nerve.
He started with two dot balls, then dismissed Amir Farooq (1) stumped by Aasif Sheikh, and finally sealed the match by stumping Mujeeb-ur-Rehman (8) down the leg side off a wide delivery.
Qatar were bowled out for 142 in 19.5 overs, falling agonisingly short by five runs. From cruising at 97/1 in the 12th over to collapsing for 142, losing nine wickets for just 45 runs — it was a complete meltdown for Qatar.
Sandeep Lamichhane's match-winning spell of 5/18 marked his best bowling figures since returning to the national side, while Nandan Yadav (2/29) provided crucial support.
Nepal's sharp fielding – with two direct-hit run-outs – proved decisive in turning the tide.
Earlier, put into bat first, Nepal posted 147/9 in their 20 overs, led by captain Rohit Paudel's fluent 58 off 42 balls — his first T20I half-century in over a year, ending a 15-innings drought.
Paudel anchored the innings and added a vital 62-run stand with Dipendra Singh Airee (26 off 22) for the fourth wicket after Nepal were reduced to 25/2 inside the powerplay. However, after Airee’s dismissal at 110 in the 16th over, Nepal lost four wickets for just six runs, stalling their momentum.
Gulshan Jha (16 off 8) and Sompal Kami (14 off 9) chipped in with quick cameos to push the total close to 150, while Qatar’s Daniel Louis (3/22) and Mirza Mohammed Baig (3/29) kept things tight with clever variations and cutters on a slow pitch.
The win strengthens Nepal's unbeaten journey so far in the tournament and three wins in Super Six have put them in second position with 6 points just below Oman.
