Asia Cup Qualifiers: Nepal pip UAE to qualify for Asia Cup 2023

Courtesy of an all-round performance, Nepal scripted history as they qualified for the forthcoming Asia Cup after a comprehensive win over the United Arab Emirates by seven wickets. In doing so, team Nepal is to share the same group as cricketing giants Pakistan and India in the ACC event.

The Rohit Paudel-led side will take the final spot which was up for grabs in Group A, alongside India and Pakistan for the tournament, tentatively scheduled to be played in September. In addition to this, the top-three finishes of Nepal, UAE and Oman at the Premier Cup essentially means that they will feature in the ACC Emerging Teams Asia Cup in July and face 'A' Teams of five Full Members in the region.

Speaking about the match, the two teams were forced to play on the reserve day (May 2), as rain stopped play on Monday, May 1, at the Tribhuvan University International Cricket Ground in Kirtipur. UAE’s Asif Khan top scored for his side with 46 off 54 balls, which steered the side to a paltry 117 runs.

Meanwhile, Lalit Rajbanshi recorded a four-wicket haul whereas Sandeep Lamichhane and Karan KC got two wickets apiece to help wrap up the innings. In response, UAE struck early blows as Nepal were reduced to 22/3 in under eight overs of the contest. 

However, it was the 17-year-old Gulsan Jha, who carved the best knock of his career, scoring an unbeaten 67 which featured as many as six maximums and three fours at a delicate strike rate of 79.76. He was aided by Bhim Sharki, who also remained unbeaten in his innings of 36 off 72 balls to power the side to a dominating win.

In doing so, Nepal not only won the contest by seven wickets but also booked their spot in the forthcoming Asia Cup. Though there is uncertainty over the venue of the competition due to the ongoing conflict between the BCCI and the PCB, it remains to be seen if the cricketing boards come up with a solution in the coming weeks.