Nepal Secures Place in 2023 Asia Cup After Thrilling Victory Against UAE in ACC Premier Cup 2023 Final in Kritipur Kathmandu. Nepal's cricket team has made history by securing their spot in the upcoming 2023 Asia Cup after defeating UAE in the ACC Premier Cup final on 2023-05-01.
*Date: September 2023 - TBA.
The team won the match by 7 wickets, chasing UAE's target of 118 runs with ease. Gulsan Jha and Bhim Sarki played pivotal roles in Nepal's victory by scoring 67 and 36 runs respectively.
ACC Men's Premier Cup 2023 Final
| UAE | Nepal |
|---|---|
| 117/10 33.1 overs |
118/3 30.3 overs, Nepal won by 7 wickets |
Teams and qualification : 2023 Asia Cup
| Group A | Group B |
|---|---|
| Pakistan | Afghanistan |
| India | Bangladesh |
| Nepal | Sri Lanka |
The match, which was affected by rain, saw UAE being bowled out for 106/9 in 27.3 overs after losing the toss. The game was then stopped and resumed on Monday, with UAE adding just 11 runs before losing their last remaining wickets.
Nepal's start wasn't ideal, with opener Kushal Bhurtel being dismissed for just one run in the second over.
However, Gulsan Jha stepped up and partnered with Asif Sheikh to add 18 runs before Sheikh was dismissed in the seventh over.
After captain Rohit Kumar Paudel's wicket fell, Nepal was under pressure. But Gulshan and Bhim Sarki's partnership of 96 runs ensured a comfortable victory for the team.
Gulshan's impressive performance included hitting three fours and six sixes, while Bhim Sarki hit four fours in his score of 36 runs off 72 balls. Nepal's victory in the ACC Premier Cup has earned them a place in Group A of the upcoming Asia Cup, where they will face India and Pakistan.
This achievement marks a significant milestone for Nepal's cricket team, which has been making steady progress in recent years. The team's performance in the ACC Premier Cup and their qualification for the 2023 Asia Cup is a testament to their hard work and dedication. Nepalese cricket fans can now look forward to seeing their team take on two of the strongest teams in Asia, India, and Pakistan.