Final T20 World Cup 2026 Qualifier promises intrigue in Oman

By Daniel Beswick

Attention in the T20 world turns to Oman, with the final make-up of next year’s ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 to be decided at the upcoming Asia/East Asia-Pacific Qualifier.

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.

Over in the East Asia-Pacific region of sub-regional qualifying, Samoa shocked the field to win their spot through Qualifier A, beating out Cook Islands, Vanuatu and Fiji on home soil in Apia.

Caleb Jasmat's side qualified in a final-over thriller on the last day of the competition, beating Vanuatu in a tense defence of 145, breaking the hearts of Cook Islands players watching on having been overtaken by the Samoan victory.

The Samoans too are bolstered by the inclusion of former New Zealand international Ross Taylor, who has come out of retirement to play for the nation of his mother's birth.

Japan meanwhile strolled to claim top spot in the other East Asia-Pacific Sub-Regional Qualifier, with Kendel Kadowaki-Fleming's side unbeaten in their trip to South Korea, beating out the hosts, Philippines and Indonesia.

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.

First and second-place finishers of each three-team group will move to the Super 6 stage, carrying forward the points earned against other progressing teams. The top three teams at the conclusion of the Super 6 stage will take World Cup spots.

Asia/East Asia-Pacific T20 World Cup Qualifier (October 8-17)

Group A: Malaysia, Qatar, United Arab Emirates

Group B: Japan, Kuwait, Nepal

Group C: Oman, Papua New Guinea, Samoa

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