Nepal became the sixth and final side to qualify for the Asia Cup 2027 final, following their 44-run win in the ACC Premier Cup final against the UAE in Kuala Lumpur. They will join India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh and Afghanistan at the tournament next year.
Rahul Sharma slammed an unbeaten 100 in pursuit of Nepal’s 314, but could not guide his side to victory. UAE fell short by 44 runs in the end to hand Nepal a place in next year’s event.
Sohaib Khan slammed a superb fifty and his 87-run stand with Chopra gave UAE a chance, but some excellent spells from Karan KC (3/49) and Lalit Rajbanshi (2/43) tilted the game in Nepal’s favour in the end. UAE were eventually were bowled out for 269 and have missed out on a chance to play in yet another Asia Cup.
Aasif leads the way for Nepal
Earlier, Nepal smashed 313/9 in their 50 overs, thanks to a superb ton by opener Aasif Sheikh (102), with Gulsan Jha slamming 52, while former skipper Rohit Paudel scored a useful 40. Arjun Kamal too slammed 43. Aasif ended the tournament as Nepal’s highest run-getter with 195 runs in six innings.
22-year-old pacer Ibrar Ahmad was the pick of the bowlers for UAE with four wickets, while Khuzaima Tanveer got two scalps.
With 17 wickets to his name, Nepal captain Sandeep Lamichhane was awarded the Player of the Series
In the third-place play-off, Hong Kong thrashed Oman by nine wickets in Bangi. Chasing 145, Hong Kong claimed a nine-wicket victory with more than 30 overs to spare.
Asia Cup 2027 is scheduled to be played in Bangladesh between June 18 and July 4, 2027.
Brief scores
Nepal 313/9 in 50 overs (Aasif Sheikh 102, Gulsan Jha 52; Ibrar Ahmad 4/62) beat UAE 269 in 49.1 overs (Rahu Chopra 100*, Sohaib Khan 52; Karan KC 3/49) by 44 runs
Player of the Match – Aasif Sheikh
Player of the Series – Sandeep Lamichhane
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