Nepal cricket team secured their spot in the upcoming Asia Cup 2023 tournament after they defeated UAE by seven wickets in the ACC Premier Cup final at Tribhuvan University ground on Tuesday, May 2, 2023.

Nepal had won the toss and chosen to field first. Their bowlers starred by restricting UAE to 117 in 33.1 overs only, whose innings had to be resumed from 106/9 on the reserve day due to rain. Lalit Rajbanshi took 4/14, while Sandeep Lamichhane and Karan KC took two wickets each.

In response, though Nepal lost their openers for single-digit scores, Gulsan Jha made 69*and Bhim Sharki’s 36* took Nepal past the finishing line in 30.3 overs and 7 wickets in hand.

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Thanks to this win, Nepal will take the last spot in Group A, alongside India and Pakistan, with the Asia Cup 2023 slated to take place in September.

The top three finishes of Nepal, UAE, and Oman at the Premier Cup mean they will also feature in the ACC Emerging Teams Asia Cup in July, where they will take on ‘A’ Teams of five Full Members in the region.

However, there is still uncertainty over the Asia Cup tournament after reports suggested that PCB have stood rigid in their stand of hosting the tournament in Pakistan itself, while BCCI has rejected the hybrid model proposed by PCB of having them play their matches at a neutral venue.

It was also reported that in case the Asia Cup is canceled, BCCI have made plans of hosting a five-nation tournament in that window.

(PTI inputs)