Final T20 World Cup 2026 Qualifier promises intrigue in Oman

Carrying perhaps the most intrigue in this cycle, the tournament is the only event in T20 World Cup 2026 qualifying combining two regions, with nine teams battling for three tickets.

Six teams from the Asia region join three from the East Asia-Pacific, with 16,000 kilometres separating eastern-most Samoa and western-most Kuwait on the final step of their journey in Al-Amarat.

All matches at the tournament are live and FREE on ICC.tv (FanCode in parts of Asia)

Nepal, Oman and Papua New Guinea enter the qualification race in the regional final through their participation at the last T20 World Cup in 2024, while the other six sides reached via Sub-Regional play.

The Nepalis have created the biggest headlines coming into the tournament having beaten the West Indies in a three-match T20I series in UAE. The side have shared the load with the bat and have been boosted by the extra bowling efforts of all-rounder Kushal Bhurtel, who topped the series wicket tally in spite of being called upon as the fifth or sixth option.

Rohit Paudel's side contains a bulk of the squad from their 2024 T20 World Cup campaign, though Oman and PNG will field drastically different sides at the Qualifier than the ones that competed in a global tournament a year ago.

The Omanis have found a winning formula at least in ODI cricket through Cricket World Cup League 2 and look an imposing outfit despite the extensive shuffles.

Captain Assad Vala holds the key for Papua New Guinea with the bat, while spin-bowling responsibility falls on the shoulders of young left-armer John Kariko.

Fourteen teams meanwhile took part in Asia Sub-Regionals across two competitions, with Malaysia and Kuwait prevailing in Qualifier A, alongside UAE and Qatar in Group B.

Having moved back to Sub-Regional action, the Emiratis were unbeaten in their group to reach the regional final, while Qatar were able to brush aside fellow building gulf sides Bahrain and Saudi Arabia.

Malaysia did enough on home soil to progress even after a defeat to upcomign tournament darkhorses Kuwait, whose Net Run Rate was enough to edge Hong Kong. A meeting between Kuwait and Hong Kong was scuppered by inclement weather.

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