UAE seal final spot for '26 T20 World Cup with win over Japan

The UAE have clinched the final qualification berth for the 2026 ICC Men's T20 World Cup by securing a top-three finish at the ongoing Asia/East Asia-Pacific Qualifier in Oman.

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With their victory over Japan on Thursday, UAE have joined Nepal and hosts Oman to complete the 20-team lineup for next year’s global tournament in the shortest format, to be held in India and Sri Lanka.

Muhammad Waseem’s side delivered a clinical performance to eliminate Japan from qualifying contention with an eight-wicket win at the Oman Cricket Academy Ground.

Their thumping victory also dashed the hopes of Qatar and Samoa, who needed a Japanese win to stay in the race for playing in the mega event.

UAE's fielding set the tone early, as Japan stumbled to 25/3 in the powerplay and never fully recovered, despite a late rally led by wicketkeeper Wataru Miyauchi. Playing his first match of the tournament and coming at number nine, Miyauchi struck an unbeaten 45 off 32 balls, and was supported by number eleven Abdul Samad in a 42-run stand that lifted Japan to 116/9.