Oman defeated Nepal by 7 wickets in the Asia Cup Qualifiers match held at the Bayuemas Oval in Malaysia on Wednesday. Oman achieved the 222-run target placed by Nepal with 12 balls to spare in the 48^th over.

Oman’s Khawar Ali scored 84 runs and stayed in the crease to see his team win against Nepal. Zeeshan Maqsood hit two sixes and a four in the 48^th over bowled by Basanta Regmi, bringing his total to 45 runs, which changed the face of the game that was heading to be a thriller with Oman requiring 17 runs off 18 balls in the end of 47^th over.

Earlier, Sagar Pun’s individual 83 helped Nepal post a competitive total of 221 against Oman. Pun played 84 balls smashing two sixes and six boundaries. Opener Gyanendra Malla had scored 45 from 60 balls while Aarif Sheikh also contributed 36 runs. Karan KC scored 26 runs in his 10-ball cameo.

Nepal could not break the Oman jinx as it is yet to register its first win against Oman. Nepal had lost to Oman in their previous meeting, losing by six wickets in the ICC World Cricket League Division 2 in Namibia early this year. Nepal have not been able to defeat Oman since they overcame the side in the 2013 ICC World Cricket League Division 3 in Bermuda by 28 runs.

The winner of the tournament will qualify for the Asia Cup and lock horns against cricket giants India and Pakistan.