Kathmandu, October 31:

Nepal clinched a thrilling one-run win over Oman at the inaugural ACC Twenty20 Cup cricket tournament in Kuwait today.

Oman needed eight runs of the last over with three wickets in hand, but Nepal’s vice captain Paras Khadka bowled superbly to clinch the victory. Khadka was named the man of the match for his superb last over in which he took three wickets conceding just six runs. The victory, however, could not help Nepal clinch the semi-final berth. Oman had already entered the last four with three wins and were joined by Afghanistan as Group A runners up.

UAE and Kuwait entered the semis from Group B.

Electing to bat first, Nepal accumulated 140/8 before packing Oman to 139 runs. Mehboob Alam scored a quick fire 41 off 21 balls including six fours and two sixes, while Paresh Lohani made 17-ball 16.

Paras and Gyanendra Malla scored 16 runs apiece, while Shakti Gauchan remained unbeaten on run-a-ball 17.

Mahesh Chhetry was not out on 10. Z Siddiqui took 3-26 for Oman.

In Oman’s reply, Sultan Ahmed scored 27 off 23 balls and Hemal Mehta made 26 off 10 balls. Apart from Khadka, Rahul Kumar BK also took 3-24 in his three-over spell. Mehboob Alam claimed 2-26, while skipper Binod Das and Basanta Regmi pocketed one wicket each for Nepal.