KATHMANDU, May 2: Nepal has been selected for the Asia Cup after its 7-wicket victory over the UAE in the final match of the ACC Men’s Premier Cup held at the Tribhuvan University Cricket Ground in Kirtipur on Tuesday. Nepal’s crushing victory in the reserve-day match due to rainfall on Monday not only saw the hosts lift the title but also qualify for Asia’s biggest tournament for the second time after 2014.

It is a very big achievement for Nepali cricket to qualify for the Asia Cup. 

The UAE, which started the match Tuesday with an overnight score of 106 runs for the  loss of nine wickets, was all out on 117 runs in 33.3 overs. The match on Monday was stopped due to rainfall as the UAE, who were  invited to bat first after losing the toss, made 106 runs.

The UAE's Aasif Khan top-scored with 46 runs. The UAE's Junaid Siddique, the team’s last batsman, scored 10 runs.

In response, Nepal’s Gulsan Jha scored 67 and Bhim Sarki scored 36 runs as Nepal achieved the target of 118 runs for victory by losing just 3 wickets in 30.3 overs. Gulsan Jha remained unbeaten on 67 runs off 84 balls with 3 fours and 6 sixes. Bhim Sarki (not out) was at the crease for 36 runs off 72 balls with 4 fours as Nepal eased to victory.

This is the second fifty in Jha's ODI career. He completed his half-century in 75 balls. Last month, Jha scored a half-century against the UAE in the ICC World Cup League 2 triangular one-day series in Nepal.

Nepal's Sandeep Lamichhane was declared the best player of the tournament for his 13-wicket haul in 5 matches during the tournament.

Nepal did not start the match well though. Nepal lost opener Kushal Bhurtel for one run on the second ball of the second over. He was dismissed by UAE spinner Rohan Mustafa.

Similarly, in the first ball of the seventh over, Ayan Khan of the UAE dismissed the other Nepali opener Aasif Sheikh for just 8 runs. In the last ball of the eighth over, Mustafa again bowled out Nepal’s captain Rohit Paudel for 1 run as Nepal struggled with 22 runs on board for the loss of 3 wickets. The UAE used spinners for the first 18 overs of the match. However,  a 96-run partnership between Jha and Sarki turned the tide in favor of the hosts.

Earlier, Nepal's bowler Lalit Narayan Rajbanshi took 4 wickets by giving away 14 runs in 7.1 overs including 2 maiden overs. Karan KC and Sandeep Lamichhane took two wickets each. Sompal Kami and Gulsan Jha took one wicket each.

The Asia Cup will be held in Pakistan this coming September. ACC Premier Cup winner Nepal will compete in the tournament along with Pakistan, India, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, and Afghanistan.

The top two teams from each group will qualify for the Super Four. The top two teams from the Super Four will play in the final. The Asia Cup is organized by the ACC as preparation for the Asian teams before the ODI World Cup.

After achieving this milestone, Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal congratulated the Nepali national cricket team for winning the title of ACC Men's Premier Cup. 

Similarly, Speaker Devraj Ghimire also congratulated the Nepali national cricket team for this achievement.

He said, "The unprecedented win has made Nepal and the Nepalis proud. I believe that this achievement will further help in making cricket a professional game. I want to draw the attention of the state that further respect and support to the players is needed."

Monty Desai, the coach of the Nepali national cricket team, said that he is satisfied with the performance of the team after winning the ACC Men's Premier Cup and qualifying for the Asia Cup.

He said that he is excited about the prospect of facing India and Pakistan in the tournament to be held in September. Coach Desai said that he worked hard to plan the journey to the Asia Cup. He added the team members worked hard to prove themselves after he took charge.

Sandeep Lamichhane attributed the victory to the hard work of the team and the role of the coach in securing a place in the Asia Cup. He said that the team managed to get good results while playing according to the coach's plan.

Rohit Kumar Paudel, the captain of the Nepali cricket team, said that it is a big opportunity for Nepal to play in the much-awaited tournament against strong opponents. He added that the Asia Cup will be an exposure for the Nepalese team. Paudel said that the Asia Cup should be held at any venue including a  neutral one when many issues are being raised regarding the Asia Cup over the rivalry of India and Pakistan.

 
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