Tournament: ICC Men’s T20 World Cup Asia & EAP Qualifier 2025
Match: 21st Match, Super Six
Date: Friday, October 17, 2025
Time: 10:30 AM GMT / 2:30 PM Local Time (Oman)
Venue: Al Amerat Cricket Ground, Oman
Match Type: T20 International
Toss: Not done yet
What’s Happening in This Match?
Nepal have already qualified for the 2026 T20 World Cup along with Oman. This means today’s game against Samoa is a celebration match for Nepal. They don’t have any pressure to win because they’ve already made it to the World Cup.
Nepal have been playing amazing cricket in this tournament. They beat Japan in the group stage and then won close matches against UAE and Qatar. Their fans call them the “Cardiac Kids” because their matches are always exciting and close.
This is big news for Nepal – they will play in back-to-back T20 World Cups for the first time ever.
Expected Playing XIs
Nepal (Likely Team – Not Confirmed Yet)
Source: ESPNcricinfo, Czarsportz Global, CricNepal
- Kushal Bhurtel – Opening batter
- Aasif Sheikh (WK) – Wicketkeeper
- Rohit Paudel (C) – Captain
- Dipendra Singh Airee (VC) – All-rounder
- Kushal Malla – All-rounder
- Aarif Sheikh – All-rounder
- Sompal Kami – Bowling all-rounder
- Sandeep Lamichhane – Spinner
- Karan KC – All-rounder
- Gulshan Jha – Fast bowler
- Lalit Rajbanshi – Spinner
Other players in squad: Lokesh Bam, Aadil Alam, Sundeep Jora, Nandan Yadav, Shahab Alam
Note: This is the likely team based on their squad. The final team will be announced at the toss.
Samoa (Likely Team – Not Confirmed Yet)
Source: Czarsportz Global, CricNepal
- Ross Taylor – Batter
- Benjamin Mailata – Batter
- Caleb Jasmat (C) – Captain
- Darius Visser – All-rounder
- Sean Solia – All-rounder
- Daniel Burgess – All-rounder
- Douglas Finau – All-rounder
- Sam French (WK) – Wicketkeeper
- Kurtis Hynam-Nyberg – Bowler
- Solomon Nash – Bowler
- Samson Sola – Bowler
Other players in squad: Noah Mead, Fereti Sululoto, Saumani Tiai, Ili Tugaga
Note: This is the likely team based on their squad. Samoa haven’t been playing well in the Super Six stage.
Players to Watch
Top Batters
| Player | Team | Tournament Stats |
|---|---|---|
| Kushal Bhurtel | Nepal | 306 runs in 10 matches • Average 30.60 |
| Aasif Sheikh | Nepal | 218 runs in 9 matches • Average 27.25 |
| Ross Taylor | Samoa | Experienced player |
| Benjamin Mailata | Samoa | Main batter |
Top Bowlers
| Player | Team | Tournament Stats |
|---|---|---|
| Sandeep Lamichhane | Nepal | 13 wickets in 7 matches |
| Kushal Bhurtel | Nepal | 8 wickets in 7 matches |
| Karan KC | Nepal | 86 career T20I wickets |
| Gulshan Jha | Nepal | 33 career T20I wickets |
Source: ESPNcricinfo
Pitch & Weather Report
What’s the Pitch Like?
The Al Amerat pitch is good for batting at the start. Fast bowlers don’t get much help. The ball comes nicely onto the bat in the first few overs.
As the match goes on, spinners can turn the ball. Fast bowlers need to bowl slower balls to get wickets.
Important Facts:
- Teams usually score around 115 runs batting first
- Teams chasing have won 59 times here
- Bowling first is often better
- Spinners are very important
Weather Today
The weather will be sunny and nice for cricket. Temperature around 25°C, no rain expected, humidity at 57%, and light wind at 7 km/h.
Weather info from Cricket Line Guru (October 7, 2025)
Match Preview & Prediction
Nepal can play freely today because they’ve already qualified for the World Cup. They might give chances to players who haven’t played much in this tournament.
Samoa have not been playing well lately. They will find it very hard to beat a confident Nepal team.
Why Nepal Should Win:
Strong Batting: Kushal Bhurtel and Aasif Sheikh have been scoring runs regularly. They have been Nepal’s best batters in this tournament.
Great Spinners: Sandeep Lamichhane is Nepal’s star player. He has taken 13 wickets in just 7 matches. Kushal Bhurtel has also been bowling well, taking 8 wickets. Spinners do well at this ground.
Good Form: Nepal have won their last 5 matches in a row. They are playing with lots of confidence.
What Samoa Need to Do:
Samoa need to take early wickets to have any chance. Their all-rounders must play well with both bat and ball. But looking at their recent form, it will be very difficult.
Our Prediction:
Nepal should win easily. They are much stronger and have been playing much better cricket. Nepal should win by 40-50 runs (if they bat first) or by 6-7 wickets (if they chase).
Toss: The team that wins the toss should bowl first. Teams chasing have more success at this ground.
Recent Form
Nepal: Won last 5 matches
Samoa: Lost 3 of last 4 matches
Source: Cricket Line Guru
Important Note:
The playing XIs shown above are “likely teams” based on their squads. The final teams will be announced at the toss, about 30 minutes before the match starts. Check ESPNcricinfo or ICC website for toss updates.
Information Sources:
- ESPNcricinfo
- ICC Official Website
- Czarsportz Global
- Cricket Line Guru
- CricNepal
- The Kathmandu Post
Updated: October 17, 2025