KUALA LUMPUR/KATHMANDU — Nepal defeated the United Arab Emirates by 108 runs in Saturday's ACC Men's Premier Cup final at Bayuemas Cricket Oval, securing the tournament's only automatic berth at the 2027 Asia Cup in Bangladesh — Nepal's third Premier Cup title and second Asia Cup qualification.
Batting first, Nepal posted 313/9, led by opener Aasif Sheikh's 102 off 106 balls (his second ODI century) and a rapid 52 from Gulsan Jha. Chasing 314, the UAE were bowled out for 268 in 49.2 overs despite an unbeaten century from Rahul Chopra (100 not out) and a fighting 42 from Tanish Suri; Karan KC (3/49) and Lalit Rajbanshi (2/43) led Nepal's bowling effort, with Sandeep Lamichhane, Dipendra Singh Airee, Rohit Paudel, Gulsan Jha and Basir Ahamad sharing the remaining wickets.
Why it matters: The win extends Nepal's edge over the UAE in Associate cricket's fiercest rivalry, vindicates captain Sandeep Lamichhane's August reappointment, and returns Nepal to the Asia Cup after missing the last cycle — putting them back alongside India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh and Afghanistan in 2027.
A heated on-field exchange briefly halted play in the UAE innings but caused no reported disciplinary action.
