Nepal Claim ACC Men's Premier Cup Crown With 44-Run Win Over UAE

Nepal are the champions of Asia's premier associate competition. In the ACC Men's Premier Cup final at the Bayuemas Cricket Oval in Kuala Lumpur, Nepal piled up 313 for 9 in their 50 overs and then dismissed the United Arab Emirates for 269 in 49.1 overs, sealing a 44-run victory.

The total proved just beyond the UAE's reach despite their chase going deep into the final over, with Nepal's bowlers holding their nerve to finish the job. The win caps an impressive tournament for Nepal and underlines their growing status as the side to beat among Asia's emerging nations.

For the UAE, who fought hard to keep the contest alive into the death overs, it is a near miss in a final they would have felt was within reach at various stages. Nepal, though, were the more complete side on the day — dominant enough with the bat to post a 300-plus score, and disciplined enough with the ball to defend it when the pressure came on.