Nepal qualify for Asia Cup 2023 after beating USA
The Nepal cricket team has qualified for the Asia Cup 2023 by defeating the United Arab Emirates (UAE) in the ACC Men’s Premier Cup.
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Nepal qualify for Asia Cup 2023: Nepal qualified for the Asia Cup 2023 by defeating UAE by seven wickets in the ACC Premier Cup final on Tuesday at the Tribhuvan University Ground in Kirtipur, Nepal.With the tournament scheduled to begin in September of this year (2023), Nepal has secured the final position in Group A alongside archrivals India and Pakistan.
In 33.1 overs, UAE were struck out after scoring 117 runs and being dismissed. Asif Khan was the leading run-scorer for the visitors, scoring 46 runs in 56 deliveries with seven fours and one six. Nepal's outstanding bowler was Lalit Rajbanshi, who claimed four wickets for just 14 runs and also bowled two maidens in 7.1 overs.
All of his fellow bowlers were able to take at least one wicket in support of him. Renowned leg-spinner Sandeep Lamichhane continued his 33-match wicket-taking stretch with two wickets for 34 runs.
Gulshan Jha (67*) and Bhim Sharki (36*), who set up a 96-run unbeaten stand for the fourth wicket and carried their team to victory, helped Nepal chase down the target in 31 overs with seven wickets remaining.
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The hosts lost three wickets in rapid succession early in their innings before the duo took control and promised a decisive victory for their team. Rohan Mustafa bowled a tight spell and took two wickets for 13 runs in 10 overs, including three maidens, while Aayan Afzal Khan also claimed one wicket.
Despite India's opposition to playing matches in Pakistan, which is the designated host nation for the upcoming Asia Cup, no decision has yet been made regarding the tournament's potential location.
BCCI is reportedly contemplating playing the matches of the multi-nation tournament at a neutral venue, as decisions regarding the circumstance have not yet been made.
