Nepal Qualify for 2027 ODI Asia Cup After Defeating UAE in Premier Cup Final

Nepal have secured their place in the 2027 ODI Asia Cup by winning the ACC Men's Premier Cup final in Kuala Lumpur on Saturday. The team defeated the United Arab Emirates by 44 runs, with opener Aasif Sheikh scoring 102 off 106 balls to anchor Nepal's total of 313/9.

Sheikh's century included eight fours and four sixes. Gulsan Jha contributed a brisk 52 from 38 balls with four sixes and three fours. In reply, UAE managed 269, with Rahul Chopra scoring an unbeaten century and Sohaib Khan making 52, but the effort fell short. Karan KC took three wickets for Nepal's bowling attack.

This is Nepal's second Premier Cup title and their second appearance in the Asia Cup, after participating in the 2023 edition. The 2027 Asia Cup will be hosted by Bangladesh in mid-2027.