Nepal Wins ACC Premier Cup 2026, Defeats UAE by 45 Runs

Nepal has been crowned champion of the third edition of the Men’s ACC Premier Cup after defeating the United Arab Emirates (UAE) by 45 runs in the final on Saturday.

The victory not only secured another major continental title for Nepal but also earned the national team qualification for the 2027 Asia Cup in Bangladesh. Nepal will now make its second appearance in the ODI Asia Cup.

Aasif Sheikh’s Century Powers Nepal to 313

After winning the toss at the Bayuemas Cricket Oval in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, Nepal opted to bat first and posted a formidable 313 runs for the loss of nine wickets.

Opener Aasif Sheikh led Nepal’s batting effort with an impressive century. He scored 102 runs from 106 deliveries, providing Nepal with a strong foundation in the final.

Gulshan Jha also produced an important innings, scoring 52 runs from 38 balls. Arjun Kumal contributed 43 runs from 63 balls, while captain Rohit Kumar Paudel added 40 runs from 44 deliveries.

UAE’s bowling attack was led by Abrar Ahmed, who claimed four wickets. Khuzaima Tanveer took two wickets, while Haider Ali and Adib Usmani picked up one wicket each.

UAE Falls 45 Runs Short

Chasing 314 for the championship, the UAE struggled to maintain the required scoring rate despite several useful contributions.

The UAE was eventually bowled out for 268 runs in 49.2 overs, handing Nepal a 45-run victory and the Premier Cup trophy.

Rahul Chopra produced the standout performance for the UAE, scoring a century. He made 100-plus runs from 105 balls, but his effort was not enough to take his side over the line.

Sohaib Khan added 52 runs from 51 balls, while Tanish Suri scored a quick 42 from 28 deliveries. Harprit Singh contributed 33 runs from 41 balls.

Karan KC Leads Nepal’s Bowling Attack

Nepal’s bowlers delivered when it mattered most, steadily breaking down the UAE batting lineup.

Karan KC was Nepal’s leading wicket-taker with three wickets, while Lalit Rajbanshi claimed two.

Sandeep Lamichhane, Rohit Kumar Paudel, Gulshan Jha, Dipendra Singh Airee, and Bashir Ahmed also picked up one wicket each to complete a disciplined bowling performance.

The pressure eventually forced the UAE to lose its final wicket in the 50th over, confirming Nepal as champions.

Nepal Repeats 2023 Final Success

The ACC Premier Cup final once again featured Nepal and the UAE, repeating the matchup from the 2023 edition.

Nepal won that final by seven wickets, and the latest victory means the UAE has once again fallen short against Nepal in the Premier Cup title match.

The result further strengthens Nepal’s record in the competition and adds another memorable chapter to the team’s recent international cricket journey.

Nepal Qualifies for 2027 Asia Cup

Winning the Premier Cup has brought another major reward for Nepal.

The champions have secured qualification for the 2027 ODI Asia Cup, which will be hosted by Bangladesh. This will be Nepal’s second appearance in the ODI Asia Cup.

Nepal made its first appearance in the tournament in 2023, where it shared a group with cricket giants India and Pakistan.

The upcoming Asia Cup will therefore give Nepal another opportunity to compete against some of the strongest teams in Asian cricket.

Nepal and UAE Also Qualify for Emerging Teams Asia Cup

Both Nepal and the UAE have already secured their places in the Emerging Teams Asia Cup.

For Nepal, the Premier Cup triumph adds further momentum heading into the next phase of its international schedule, while the qualification provides the team with another opportunity to test itself against strong Asian opposition.

Nepal Celebrates Another Major Cricket Achievement

The Premier Cup victory represents another significant milestone for Nepali cricket.

From Aasif Sheikh’s century with the bat to Karan KC and the bowling attack’s decisive performance, Nepal produced a balanced team effort when it mattered most.

With the ACC Premier Cup trophy secured and a place at the 2027 Asia Cup confirmed, Nepal now has another major international tournament to look forward to.

Nepal has defeated the United Arab Emirates by 45 runs to win the third edition of the Men’s ACC Premier Cup.

Aasif Sheikh’s century helped Nepal post 313 runs, while a collective bowling effort restricted the UAE to 268. The victory gives Nepal another continental title and secures its place in the 2027 ODI Asia Cup in Bangladesh.

After appearing against India and Pakistan in the 2023 Asia Cup, Nepal will now prepare for its second ODI Asia Cup appearance with growing confidence.