- Saturday, March 01, 2025
By: Shubham Ghosh
Nepal made history on Tuesday (2) when they defeated the United Arab Emirates in the final of the Asian Cricket Council men’s premier cup at the Tribhuvan University International Cricket Ground in Kathmandu to qualify for the Asia Cup tournament to be held later this year.
Nepal had an easy chase of a modest target of 118 runs and despite losing three quick wickets, a steady 67 not out off 84 balls from Gulshan Kumar Jha ensured that Nepal took part in the prestigious tournament for the first time by winning by seven wickets.
Star Nepal spinner Sandeep Lamichhane was adjudged the best player of the tournament with 13 wickets in five matches.
MISSION ACCOMPLISHED! We are into the Asia Cup 2023.. Congratulations Team Nepal for this enormous victory.. Thank you all the fans for intense and immense dedication,love,support and blessings through out. ?? One dream one Team Nepal! Jay Nepal ?????? pic.twitter.com/9zTN2E7Rur
— Dipendra Singh Airee (@DSAiree45) May 2, 2023
Nepal will be placed in Group A alongside Asian powerhouses India and Pakistan.
The top three finishes of Nepal, UAE and Oman at the Premier Cup also mean that they will play in the ACC Emerging Teams Asia Cup in July.
The Asia Cup, scheduled for September, has been under constant debate due to political tensions between India and Pakistan with the former refusing to go to Pakistan which is supposed to host the tournament. Pakistan has counter threatened to boycott the 50-over world cup which India is set to host in October and November.
There has also been a proposal that India will play their matches in a neutral venue while Pakistan play theirs at home.
The tournament will feature six teams but the itinerary is yet to be unveiled due to the problem over the venue.
