Historic win sees Nepal book place at 2027 One‑Day Asia Cup

KUALA LUMPUR, 12 September – Nepal’s cricket team achieved a landmark victory at the ACC Men’s Premier Cup, defeating the United Arab Emirates by 44 runs and confirming their participation in the 2027 One‑Day International Asia Cup.

The innings was anchored by Asif Sheikh, who posted 106 runs off 102 balls, punctuated by eight fours and four sixes. His opening partnership with Arjun, who added 43 runs, reached 97 before Arjun’s run‑out.

Rohit Podail’s 40 and Gulshan Jha’s explosive 52 (38 balls) built a formidable total, while Bashir Ahmed’s 15‑run cameo sealed a score of 313.

UAE’s batting collapsed early, yielding just 56 runs for three wickets. Though Shahab Khan (52) and Tanish Suri (52) tried to revive the chase, the side was bowled out for 269. Nepal’s bowling unit shone, with Karan Kesi taking 3/49, and Lilit Rajbanshi, Sandeep Lamichhane, Deependra Singh Aeri, among others, sharing the remaining wickets.

The triumph ensures Nepal’s spot at the 2027 Asia Cup, which will be staged in Bangladesh in mid‑2028. The Premier Cup winner’s automatic qualification underscores the importance of Nepal’s performance for Asian cricket’s competitive landscape.