Nepal qualify for Asia Cup 2027 after big win over UAE

With their massive 44-run win over the United Arab Emirates (UAE) at the Bayuemas Oval in Kuala Lumpur, Nepal completed their memorable qualification for the upcoming Men’s Asia Cup 2027 as they joined other sides like India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, and Afghanistan in the competition.

The victory and its result show the growth of the Nepal side on the cricketing horizons of Asia as they secured a place in Asia Cup 2027, having already featured in the Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 in India and Sri Lanka. They have a strong fight against some of the strongest sides in world cricket.

Aasif Sheikh's century powers Nepal to a dominant 44-run win over UAE

The United Arab Emirates batted first and posted a decent score of 269 runs on the board. Their middle-order batter, Rahul Chopra, thumped a special knock of 100 runs off just 105 balls, thanks to three boundaries and four sixes at a strike rate of 95.24, along with a 52-run knock off 57 balls against Sohaib Khan.

Tanish Suri provided the UAE side with an aggressive start in the ACC Men’s Premier Cup 2026 final as he blasted a dashing knock of 42 runs off just 28 balls at a strike rate of 150, smashing four boundaries and three sixes. Karan KC, for Nepal, ended up with 3/49 in nine overs.

Nepal, despite losing wickets continuously, completed the chase by one wicket on the very last ball. Their opener, Aasif Sheikh, slammed 102 runs off 106 balls while Gulsan Jha clubbed 52 runs off 38 balls, thanks to his three boundaries and four over-boundaries.

Nepal to join India, Pakistan, and Sri Lanka in Bangladesh for Asia Cup 2027

The upcoming Men’s Asia Cup 2027 is expected to take place between June 18 and July 04 in Bangladesh. The tournament will be played in the 50-over format, keeping in mind the next year’s ODI World Cup in Zimbabwe, Namibia, and South Africa, which will, however, offer totally different conditions.

India have won the most men’s Asia Cup titles with nine championships, including seven ODI and two T20I trophies. Their titles came in 1984, 1988, 1990/91, 1995, 2010, 2016, 2018, 2023, and 2025, when they beat Sri Lanka.

Meanwhile, Sri Lanka is in second place in terms of the number of titles, as they won the trophy in 1986, 1997, 2004, 2008, 2014, and 2022. Pakistan won the trophy twice in 2000 and 2012.