Nepal Win ACC Men's Premier Cup 2026 and Qualify for the Asia Cup 2027
Published on September 13, 2026
Summary Overview: Nepal beat UAE by 44 runs in the ACC Men's Premier Cup 2026 final to lift the title and qualify for the 2027 Asia Cup. Aasif Sheikh scored a match-winning century.
Champions Again: Nepal Beat UAE to Book Their Asia Cup 2027 Place
Who won and what did they earn?
Nepal beat the United Arab Emirates by 44 runs to win the ACC Men's Premier Cup 2026 and claim the final spot at the 2027 Asia Cup.
Who was the star of the final?
Opener and wicketkeeper Aasif Sheikh was Player of the Match for his superb 102 off 106 balls, the innings that set up Nepal's total.
Why does this matter so much?
It is Nepal's second Premier Cup title and books only their second ever Asia Cup appearance, a huge milestone for one of world cricket's fastest-rising nations.
Match Report: Nepal Rise to the Occasion
Nepal are champions of Asia's Associate cricket once more. In the final of the ACC Men's Premier Cup 2026 at the Bayuemas Oval in Kuala Lumpur, they produced a complete performance to beat the United Arab Emirates by 44 runs, lifting the trophy and sealing their place at the 2027 Asia Cup.
For readers new to this: the Asia Cup is the top tournament for Asian teams, and the biggest sides qualify automatically. Developing nations must earn the last spot through this qualifier, so for Nepal this win means a seat at the game's top table.
Aasif Sheikh Lays the Foundation
Winning the toss and choosing to bat, Nepal knew a big score would pile pressure on the UAE. Opener Aasif Sheikh delivered exactly that, anchoring the innings with a composed 102 off 106 balls, decorated with eight fours and four sixes.
He got Nepal off to a flier alongside Arjun Kumal, the pair adding 97 for the first wicket in 21 overs to lay a platform. Kumal was eventually run out for a busy 43, but the base was set.
Jha Provides the Finishing Kick
With Sheikh holding one end, the middle order kept the scoreboard moving. Former captain Rohit Paudel chipped in with 40, before Gulsan Jha provided the late fireworks that every big total needs.
Jha smashed 52 off just 38 balls, clearing the ropes four times, and a cameo of 15 from Basir Ahamad helped Nepal surge past 300 to a commanding 313 for 9. For the UAE, Ibrar Ahmad was the best of the bowlers with 4 for 62.
UAE Fall Just Short Despite Chopra's Lone Hand
Chasing 314, the UAE needed a strong start but slipped to 56 for 3 inside nine overs, losing early wickets that put them on the back foot from the outset. Nepal captain Sandeep Lamichhane set the tone by bowling Akashdeep Nath for a four-ball duck.
From there it became a one-man rescue mission. Rahul Chopra batted beautifully for an unbeaten 100 off 105 balls, but he could not find a partner to stay with him long enough. Sohaib Khan (52) and opener Tanish Suri (42) offered support in patches, and captain Harpreet Singh made 33, but no partnership was big enough to threaten the target.
The UAE were bowled out for 269 in 49.1 overs, ending 44 runs short. Karan KC was the pick of Nepal's attack with 3 for 49, backed by two wickets from Lalit Rajbanshi.
What It Means for Nepal
This is a landmark result. It is Nepal's second ACC Men's Premier Cup title, and fittingly it came against the same UAE side they beat to reach their first Asia Cup back in 2023.
Nepal will now join the continent's heavyweights, defending champions India along with Pakistan, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka and Afghanistan, at the 2027 Asia Cup, which is scheduled to be held in Bangladesh in the middle of the year. For a team backed by one of the most passionate fan bases in the sport, sharing that stage is a reward years in the making.
Turning Point
The final swung Nepal's way in the first ten overs of the UAE chase. Set a daunting 314, the UAE could not afford early losses, yet they sank to 56 for 3. That collapse left Rahul Chopra to attempt the rescue almost single-handedly, and while his unbeaten century was a brilliant effort, a chase of that size can never be completed by one batter alone. Nepal's early strikes, on top of Aasif Sheikh's platform-setting hundred, are what turned a big total into a comfortable title win.
Stat Corner
Top Performers
| Player | Team | Performance / Stat |
| Aasif Sheikh | Nepal | 102 (106), Player of the Match |
| Rahul Chopra | UAE | 100 not out (105) |
| Gulsan Jha | Nepal | 52 (38) |
| Karan KC | Nepal | 3 for 49 |
| Ibrar Ahmad | UAE | 4 for 62 |
The Final at a Glance
| Metric | Nepal | United Arab Emirates |
| Score | 313 for 9 (50 overs) | 269 all out (49.1 overs) |
| Result | Won by 44 runs | Runners-up |
| Key Highlights | First-wicket stand: 97 (Sheikh and Kumal) | 56 for 3 early collapse |
Frequently Asked Questions
Who won the ACC Men's Premier Cup 2026?
Nepal, who beat the UAE by 44 runs in the final in Kuala Lumpur.
What did Nepal qualify for?
The 2027 Asia Cup, joining India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka and Afghanistan.
Who scored centuries in the final?
Aasif Sheikh made 102 for Nepal, and Rahul Chopra hit an unbeaten 100 for the UAE in a losing cause.
Is this Nepal's first Asia Cup?
No, it is their second. They also qualified for the 2023 Asia Cup, again by beating the UAE.
When and where is the 2027 Asia Cup?
It is set to be held in Bangladesh in the middle of 2027, in the 50-over format.