Kathmandu, September 12
Nepal defeated the United Arab Emirates by 44 runs in the ACC Premier Cup final on Saturday to lift the title and secure qualification for the Asia Cup.
Chasing a target of 314 at the Bayuemas Oval in Malaysia, the UAE were bowled out for 269 in 49.1 overs despite an unbeaten century from Rahul Chopra.
Chopra remained unbeaten after scoring a century, while Tanish Suri made 42 and captain Harpreet Bhatia contributed 33. But the UAE could not sustain their chase against a disciplined Nepal bowling attack.
Karan KC was Nepal’s leading bowler with three wickets. Lalit Rajbanshi took two, while captain Sandeep Lamichhane, Rohit Paudel, Gulshan Jha, Basir Ahmad and Dipendra Singh Airee took one wicket each.
Aasif leads Nepal’s strong total
Earlier, Nepal posted 313 for nine after winning the toss and electing to bat.
Aasif Sheikh was the foundation of Nepal’s innings, scoring 102 from 106 balls with eight fours and four sixes. It was his second ODI century.
He put Nepal in control with a 97-run opening partnership with Arjun Kumal, who scored 43. Aasif then added 36 with Ishan Pandey before combining with captain Rohit Paudel for a 68-run third-wicket partnership.
Rohit scored 40, while Gulshan provided the late acceleration with 52 from just 38 balls, hitting three fours and four sixes.
For the UAE, Ibrar Ahmed took four wickets, while Khuzama Bin Tanvir claimed two. Haider Ali and Adib Usmani took one wicket each.
The victory also gives Nepal another significant result against the UAE in the Premier Cup. Nepal had defeated the UAE in the final of the 2023 edition as well.
