Nepal brush aside UAE to qualify for ACC Men’s Asia Cup 2027

Nepal brushed aside UAE by 44 runs in the final of the ACC Men’s Premier Cup 2026 at the Bayuemas Oval in Kuala Lumpur on Saturday (September 12) to seal qualification for the Asia Cup 2027. Wicketkeeper‑batter Aasif Sheikh was named Player of the Match for his match‑winning hundred.

Nepal benefited from winning the toss and opted to bat first, aiming to apply scoreboard pressure. Openers Arjun Kumal (43 off 63) and Aasif put together a solid 97‑run stand in 21 overs, immediately pushing UAE onto the back foot. Both batters asserted themselves confidently as UAE captain Harpreet Singh shuffled his bowlers in search of a breakthrough.

Harpreet finally created a run‑out opportunity off the last ball of the 21st over, ending Kumal’s innings and denying him a half‑century. The wicket triggered another soon after, with Ishan Pandey falling for 13 off 20. Former captain Rohit Paudel then joined Aasif, and the pair added 68 for the third wicket to steady the innings.

Aasif’s 102 was a boundary‑laden effort, with more than half his runs coming from eight fours and four sixes. He scored at a strike rate of 96.22 and ensured Nepal maintained momentum throughout. Haider Ali removed him in the 36th over, but Paudel (40 off 44) found support from Gulsan Jha, who helped push Nepal further ahead with another fifty‑plus stand.

Jha was the aggressor in the final phase, smashing a brisk half‑century featuring three fours and four sixes at a strike rate of 136.84. Basir Ahamad’s four‑ball 15*, including two fours and a six, lifted Nepal to a commanding 313.
Ibrar Ahmad was UAE’s standout bowler, finishing with figures of 4/62 from eight overs.

In reply, UAE openers Tanish Suri and Adeeb Usmani provided a steady start, adding 45 in five overs. But the innings collapsed dramatically, slipping from 45/0 to 119/5. Sohaib Khan (52 off 57) and Rahul Chopra mounted a spirited fightback, stitching an 87‑run stand for the sixth wicket to revive hopes.

Sohaib’s dismissal in the 39th over effectively ended UAE’s challenge, leaving Rahul to battle alone. He remained unbeaten on 100 off 105 balls, but UAE were bowled out for 269 in 49.1 overs.

Karan KC (3/49) and Lalit Rajbanshi (2/43) were Nepal’s key performers with the ball. Captain Sandeep Lamichhane was named Player of the Series for his 17 wickets.