Oman crash Nepal’s party with T20 World Cup Asia Qualifier title in Kathmandu

Oman proved to be the best type of gatecrashers as they claimed the T20 World Cup Asia Qualifier trophy at a pulsating Tribhuvan University stadium in Kathmandu.

It would be easy to say they broke the hearts of the extraordinary home support, as they beat Nepal to the title. Maybe they did, but if so, they did their very best to mend them straight away.

The final in Kirtipur was sensational. A tie after the 40 overs had been bowled, thanks to a run out off the final ball. Then a Super Over which, in truth, was entirely one-sided.

It was one of those rare occasions where the action on the field can even hold a candle to the scenes beyond the boundary in Kathmandu.

Both sides had arrived for the final demob happy. By reaching this point, they had taken care of the main business of the tournament.

That was earning qualification for the T20 World Cup in the United States and the West Indies next year.

Nepal had done so by beating the UAE in the semi-final two days earlier. That game had been played at the smaller of the two venues for this tournament, in Mulpani.

Ticket sales for that match were capped at 3,500. That was pitifully few, given the demand. Despite pleas from the Cricket Association of Nepal for fans to stay away and watch from home, and police checkpoints being set up on roads around the ground, there were in excess of 20,000 there.

Although the final was really little more than a ceremonial event, the fans again turned up in droves. Officially, there were 12,000 tickets sold. There were a good deal more than that inside by the end.

And the attendance inside was matched beyond the barbed wire-topped perimeter walls. Holes were torn in advertising boards so fans could peer through.

Hundreds climbed to watch from