Riding on teenager Gulshan Jha's unbeatean 67, hosts Nepal registered a 7-wicket win against UAE in the rain-interrupted ACC Premier Cup final at Kathmandu on Tuesday. Nepal's win implied that they have now sealed the final qualifying spot for the forthcoming Asia Cup, which is slated to be held in Pakistan in September as of now.
Notably, the match was played across two days with the reserve-day coming into play on Tuesday. On Monday (May 1), the match had been suspended with UAE reeling at 106/9. It didn't take long for the hosts to bowl out UAE with Lalit Rajbanshi continuing his impressive work to take the final wicket and return with figures of 4/14.
Nepal needed 118 runs to win but their run chase had its own share of stutter with the home team losing openers Kushal Bhurtel and Aasif Sheikh pretty early. In addition, captain Rohit Paudel also departed cheaply. However, all-rounder Jha was sent in to bat before his designated number at the number three position which proved to be the difference in the end as he not only steadied the ship but ensured that he returns only after winning the match for his side, stitching an unbeaten 96-run partnership with Bhim Sharki.
Nepal's win is a significant one as it means a their first appearance in Asia Cup is now confirmed. They would be drawn alongside India and Pakistan. UAE, who finished as the runners up, will now play the ACC Emerging Teams Cup. Nepal and third-placed Oman also secured a berth for the same tournament.
Meanwhile, even though the BCCI has been adamant on not travelling to Pakistan for the Asia Cup, there hasn't been an official shift of venues. There has even been a proposal to have the India matches elsewhere but nothing yet stands confirmed.