Nepal defeated the United Arab Emirates by 44 runs to win the ACC Men’s Premier Cup 2026 final in Kuala Lumpur on Saturday.
Nepal posted 313 for nine in 50 overs after winning the toss and choosing to bat. The UAE then managed 269 in 49.1 overs despite a century from Rahul Chopra.
Aasif Sheikh led Nepal’s batting effort with a superb 102 from 106 balls. He struck eight fours and four sixes during his innings.
Sheikh also built a strong opening partnership with Arjun Kumal. The pair added 97 runs before Kumal fell for 43 from 63 balls.
Rohit Paudel then contributed 40 from 44 balls. However, Gulsan Jha provided the late acceleration with a quick 52 from 38 balls.
Jha hit three fours and four sixes. His aggressive innings helped Nepal cross the 300 run mark.
Nepal Batting Sets Up a Strong Total
Nepal lost wickets at regular intervals after a solid start. However, the team maintained its scoring rate throughout the innings.
Dipendra Singh Airee added 18 from 18 balls. Sundeep Jora scored seven from five balls.
Basir Ahamad remained unbeaten on 15 from four deliveries. He struck two sixes and a four in a brief late cameo.
For the UAE, Ibrar Ahmad claimed four wickets. Khuzaima Tanveer took two wickets, while Haider Ali and Adeeb Usmani took one each.
The UAE began its chase aggressively. Tanish Suri scored 42 from 28 balls and gave the team early momentum.
However, Nepal kept taking wickets and restricted the UAE’s progress. Captain Harpreet Singh Bhatia added 33 from 41 balls.
Sohaib Khan then scored 52 from 57 deliveries. His partnership with Rahul Chopra kept the UAE in the contest.
Rahul Chopra Hits Century as UAE Falls Short
Rahul Chopra produced the UAE’s biggest individual performance. He remained unbeaten on 100 from 105 balls.
Chopra hit three fours and four sixes. However, he lacked enough support during the closing stages of the chase.
Nepal’s bowlers continued to strike as the UAE lost its final wicket at 269 in 49.1 overs. Karan KC claimed three wickets and Lalit Rajbanshi took two.
Sandeep Lamichhane, Dipendra Singh Airee, Rohit Paudel, Gulsan Jha and Basir Ahamad took one wicket each.
Nepal therefore secured a 44 run victory and lifted the Premier Cup title. The result capped a strong campaign for Nepal after its 87 run semi final win over Oman.
The final also produced notable individual performances from both sides. Sheikh’s century gave Nepal control of the match, while Chopra’s unbeaten hundred kept the UAE within reach for much of the chase.
Nepal’s balanced batting and disciplined bowling ultimately decided the contest. The team successfully defended its 313 run total and finished the tournament as champions.
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