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The Nepal vs. Kuwait match was the opening match (third in the standings) of Group B of the ICC T20 Qualifier for the Men’s World Cup Asia & EAP 2025, held on October 8, 2025, at the Al Amerat Cricket Ground in Oman.
Nepal posted a 141/7 in 20 overs, fueled by Kushal Bhurtel’s 57 off 34 balls (Man of the Match) to give them the win. Kuwait slumped to 83 runs in 18.5 overs, with the Nepalese bowlers, led by Karan KC (3/16) and Sompal Kami (2/13), dominating. Nepal secured a resounding 58-run victory, their first win in the tournament.
This qualifier features nine teams divided into three groups of three, which play a round-robin round within the groups. The top two teams from each group advance to the Super Six stage (October 12-17), where the top three teams qualify for the 2026 Men’s T20 World Cup in India and Sri Lanka. Nepal, Oman, and Papua New Guinea registered directly as participants in the 2024 T20 World Cup, along with qualifiers from Asia (Kuwait, Malaysia, Qatar, UAE) and EAP (Japan, Samoa).
Impact
The resounding victory provides a major psychological boost and a superior net run rate (TBR), positioning Nepal as the early leaders of Group B. Bhurtel’s explosive innings and the control of his bowling unit highlight Nepal’s depth, building confidence ahead of their final group stage match against Japan on October 10.
This result also strengthens Nepal’s global reputation after an inconsistent campaign in the 2024 T20 World Cup. On Kuwait: The heavy defeat exposes the vulnerabilities of their batting team, which crumbled under pressure despite a competitive recent head-to-head record (Kuwait had beaten Nepal by 3 runs in their last match). This saps the team’s morale and puts enormous pressure on their must-win clash against Japan today (October 9).
With only three teams (Nepal, Kuwait, Japan), the group is compact: each team plays two matches. Nepal’s strong start changes the tide, potentially forcing Kuwait into a do-or-die situation.
The fact that Japan has yet to play keeps them in contention, but a clash between Nepal and Japan could decide the group leader.
As the first completed match in Group B, it sets the tone for aggressive play in a high-stakes event where three qualification spots across all groups are at stake.
Nepal is on track to qualify for the Super Six with at least a draw in its final group match. A win against Japan would secure four points and top the group. Kuwait must defeat Japan today to earn two points and stay in the group; a loss eliminates them. Japan, unbeaten but inexperienced, could enter the competition with wins in its remaining two matches, but faces a very challenging Nepal.
The Super Six consists of group matches between the six qualifiers, with points accumulated from the group stage. Nepal’s early lead in the NRR could prove decisive in the playoffs, while Kuwait risks an early exit, which would affect its aspirations for the 2026 World Cup.
For Nepal, success here reinforces its status as an Associate Power, which could attract further investment. Kuwait’s stumble could prompt tactical reviews, especially after its strong subregional performances.
This result underscores the competitiveness of the qualifier, with direct entrants like Nepal dominating from the outset. This could influence scheduling or weather adaptations given Oman’s variable conditions.
Nepal’s dominant performance indicates they are ready to challenge for a spot in the 2026 T20 World Cup, combining explosive batting with accurate bowling to overcome a slumping Kuwait.
The 58-run margin not only inflates Nepal’s NRR but also exposes Kuwait’s fragility under tournament pressure. With Group B developing rapidly, Nepal has the aces, but Japan’s entry today could add intrigue.
Overall, this match exemplifies the combination of emerging talent and high excitement of the qualifier, where a single win can change the course of entire campaigns towards World Cup glory. Nepal is expected to build on this momentum in their quest to qualify for the Super Six.
