On Tuesday, May 2nd, the Nepal cricket team emerged victorious against the United Arab Emirates in the final of the ACC Premier Cup at the TU Cricket Ground in Kathmandu. This historic win has qualified Nepal for their first-ever Asia Cup tournament. Nepal will join India and Pakistan in Group A and compete for the ultimate prize in September.
Nepal’s winning moment
Gulshan Kumar Jha’s incredible innings of 67 runs off 84 deliveries led Nepal to a comfortable victory of seven wickets against the UAE, securing their ticket to the Asia Cup 2023. Jha’s promotion to the number three spot in the batting order proved to be a masterstroke by captain Rohit Paudel and coach Monty Desai. The 17-year-old prodigy remained unbeaten on 67 runs, following a composed chase of 118 runs.
The Asia Cup 2023 will have six teams divided into two groups. It is worth noting that Nepal has joined India and Pakistan in Group A, which means that these three cricketing nations will face each other in the same group. On the other hand, Group B comprises Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, and Afghanistan, who will compete against each other in the tournament.
The Asia Cup format
The Asia Cup, which is scheduled to begin on the 2nd of September, is supposed to be held in Pakistan. However, owing to political tensions between india and Pakistanthere’s a chance that the venue may either change or the two boards may opt for a hybrid model. A total of 13 games will be played, including the final. 2 teams from each group will qualify for the Super 4s, and then two teams from here will get to the final. It must be noted that there won’t be any semi-finals. The top two teams in the Super 4 will directly qualify for the final. Hence, there’s a huge chance we may get to see three India-Pakistan clashes in the Asia Cup 2023.
Nepal’s triumph is not just a historic moment for the country, but it is also a testament to the team’s hard work and dedication. This victory is a proud moment for all Nepali cricket enthusiasts, and it marks a significant milestone in the country’s cricketing journey. We wish the Nepal cricket team all the best in their future endeavors and hope that they continue to make their nation proud on the cricket field.
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