Nepal beats UAE to qualify for Asia Cup 2023; to share group with India, Pakistan
Nepal defeated United Arab Emirates (UAE) in the final of ACC men’s premier cup on Tuesday at the TU cricket ground in Kathmandu.
The seven-wicket win, powered by a steady 84-ball 67 from Gulshan Kumar Jha, ensured Nepal’s qualification for the Asia Cup that is scheduled to happen later this year.
Nepal will be drafted into the same group as Asian giants India and Pakistan.
The venues for the Asia Cup, which was slated to happen in Pakistan, have been under debate constantly due to political tensions between rival nations India and Paksitan, with the latter demanding a neutral venue for the continental tournament.
Earlier this year, Pakistan Cricket Board chairman Najam Sethi suggested a hybrid venue model, when matches between India and Pakistan will be played at a neutral venue. “We have decided on this hybrid model that Pakistan plays its Asia Cup matches at home and India their matches at a neutral venue, and that is our proposal to the Asian Cricket Council,” said Sethi.
The Asia Cup, involving six teams, will be played from September 2 to 17, though the exact schedule of matches is yet to be announced due to uncertainty over the venue.
More to follow..
