While the future of Asia Cup 2023 is uncertain, Nepal have qualified for the quadrennial event with a thumping win over United Arab Emirates (UAE) at home. Lalit Rajbanshi's four-fer followed by unbeaten half-century from Gulsan Jha helped Nepal beat UAE by seven wickets with 117 balls to spare and win the ACC Men’s Premier Cup 2023 at Tribhuvan University International Cricket Ground, Kirtipur on May 2.
Nepal will take on India in their first Asia Cup 2023 clash on September 6. As Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has made its stance clear that Team India will play their Asia Cup games at a neutral venue, the Nepal clash will take outside Pakistan. Few days later, they will take on hosts Pakistan on September 9.
Earlier, Rohit Paudel won the toss and opted to field first. The move paid off as UAE skipper Muhammad Waseem departed in the fourth over after scoring 11 runs from eight balls. The Karan KC got rid of in-form wicketkeeper-batter Vriitya Aravind (8) and opener Aryna Lakra (13). Then Rajbanshi joined the party and removed Rameez Shahzad. Leg-spinner Sandeep Lamichhane got rid of Rohan Mustafa as UAE lost half their side for 51 in the 14th over.
Basil Hameed tried to steady the ship but got bowled by Jha. Lamicchane then got the wicket of Afzal Khan. Asif Khan tried to score quickly but he missed his half-century. Rajbanshi got the wicket of Asif who scored 46 runs from 54 balls including seven fours and one six. Rajbanshi then mopped up the tail as UAE got bundled out for 117 from 33.1 overs.
In the run chase, UAE bowlers got their tails up with the new ball. Mustafa drew first blood with the wicket of Kushal Bhurtel whereas Afzal trapped Aasif Sheikh (8) in front of the stumps. Mustafa got the wicket of Paudel in the eighth over as Nepal lost three wickets for just 22 runs.
Jha and Bhim Sharki prevented any more wickets from falling in the run chase. Sharki played the defensive role whereas Jha pounced on scoring opportunities. The unbeaten 96-run partnership for the fourth wicket between Jha and Sharki helped Nepal chase down the target with 19.3 overs to spare. Jha scored 67 runs from 84 deliveries including three fours and five sixes. On the other end, Sharki scored 36 runs from 72 balls including four fours
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