Kathmandu : Nepal have qualified for the Asia Cup by defeating UAE in the final match of the ACC Premier Cup.

With the win, Nepal will now take on India and Pakistan in the Asia Cup to be held in September.

In the Asia Cup, Pakistan, India and Nepal will be in Group A. Bangladesh, Sri Lanka and Afghanistan are in Group B.

Nepal have qualified for the Asia Cup for the second time. Nepal had previously qualified for the Asia Cup in 2002.

Nepal qualified for the Asia Cup by reaching the finals of the ACC Trophy held in Singapore. At that time, the Asia Cup could not be held due to the ongoing Kargil War between India and Pakistan.

Nepal achieved the modest target of 118 runs set by UAE in 30.3 overs for the 3 wickets.

Gulshanam Jha and Bhim Sarki shared an unbeaten partnership of 96 runs for the loss of fourth wicket.

Gulshan Jha remained not out for 67 and Bhim Sarki 36 runs. Gulshan, who faced 84 balls, hit 3 fours and six sixes. Bhim hit four fours off 72 balls.

Captain Rohit Paudel was bowled out for one run by Rohan Mustafa in 7.6 overs.

Nepal lost both openers in the seventh over. Kushal Bhurtel was out in the second ball of the second over.

Kushal, who scored one run, returned to the pavilion after being caught LBW by Rohan Mustafa.

After the home team won the toss and elected to field at the TU Cricket Ground in Kirtipur, the UAE (which were invited to bat) were bowled out for 117 runs in 33.1 overs.

Yesterday (Monday) when UAE scored 106 runs for the loss of nine wickets in 27.3 overs, the match was stopped due to rain. Today, the game started from the same score.