Introduction
Cricket matches between Nepal and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) have become an interesting part of international associate cricket. Both teams have developed competitive squads, talented players, and a strong desire to establish themselves on the international stage. Their encounters often feature exciting batting performances, disciplined bowling spells, and important moments that influence the final result. Supporters following the Nepal national cricket team vs United Arab Emirates national cricket team match scorecard are generally interested in more than just the final scores. They also want to understand individual contributions, partnerships, wickets, bowling performances, and the turning points that shaped the contest.
Nepal is known for its enthusiastic cricket supporters and energetic playing style, while the UAE has developed an experienced cricket structure with players from different backgrounds. Whenever these teams meet, the contest provides an opportunity to evaluate their strengths, weaknesses, and progress in international cricket.
Match Overview and Important Details
The two teams faced each other in the final of the ACC Men’s Premier Cup 2026 on 12 September 2026 at Bayuemas Oval in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. Nepal won the toss and decided to bat first, aiming to establish a competitive total. Their batting lineup delivered an impressive performance, scoring 313 runs for the loss of nine wickets in 50 overs. The UAE then started its chase with the objective of reaching 314 runs but was eventually dismissed for 269 in 49.1 overs.
Nepal secured a 44-run victory and lifted the tournament trophy. Aasif Sheikh received the Player of the Match award for his outstanding century. The final demonstrated Nepal’s ability to build a substantial total and defend it through effective bowling and fielding. It was also a valuable performance for the UAE, particularly because Rahul Chopra and Sohaib Khan showed resistance during the second innings.
Nepal vs UAE Match Scorecard: Match Summary
The following table provides the main details of the final match.
| Match information | Details |
|---|---|
| Tournament | ACC Men’s Premier Cup 2026 |
| Match | Final |
| Date | 12 September 2026 |
| Venue | Bayuemas Oval, Kuala Lumpur |
| Toss | Nepal won and elected to bat |
| Nepal score | 313/9 (50 overs) |
| UAE score | 269 all out (49.1 overs) |
| Result | Nepal won by 44 runs |
| Player of the Match | Aasif Sheikh |
The Nepal national cricket team vs United Arab Emirates national cricket team match scorecard highlights Nepal’s advantage in the first innings and its ability to maintain pressure throughout the UAE’s chase. The 44-run difference reflected the importance of Nepal’s strong batting foundation and timely wickets.
Nepal Batting Performance: First Innings
Nepal’s batting performance was one of the biggest highlights of the final. The team started with Arjun Kumal and Aasif Sheikh, who helped establish a useful opening partnership. Kumal scored 43 runs from 63 deliveries, including six boundaries. His contribution provided stability and allowed the middle-order batters to build on the foundation.
Aasif Sheikh played an even more important role by scoring 102 runs from 106 balls. His innings included eight fours and four sixes. He balanced patience with attacking shots and remained at the crease long enough to guide Nepal towards a competitive total. Rohit Paudel contributed 40 runs from 44 deliveries, while Gulsan Jha added an impressive 52 runs from only 38 balls. Jha’s attacking approach helped Nepal increase its scoring rate during the later stages.
| Batter | Runs | Balls | 4s | 6s |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Arjun Kumal | 43 | 63 | 6 | 0 |
| Aasif Sheikh | 102 | 106 | 8 | 4 |
| Ishan Pandey | 13 | 20 | 1 | 0 |
| Rohit Paudel | 40 | 44 | 2 | 0 |
| Gulsan Jha | 52 | 38 | 3 | 4 |
| Dipendra Singh Airee | 18 | 18 | 1 | 0 |
| Sundeep Jora | 7 | 5 | 1 | 0 |
| Karan KC | 1 | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| Basir Ahamad | 15* | 4 | 2 | 1 |
| Sandeep Lamichhane | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Lalit Rajbanshi | 1* | 1 | 0 | 0 |
Extras: 21 runs
Total: 313/9 in 50 overs.
The middle and lower order also contributed important runs. Dipendra Singh Airee scored 18, while Basir Ahamad provided a quick unbeaten 15 from just four deliveries. These contributions helped Nepal finish with 313 runs, giving its bowlers a strong total to defend.
UAE Bowling Performance: First Innings
The UAE bowling attack faced a challenging task against Nepal’s batting lineup. Ibrar Ahmad was the most successful bowler, taking four wickets for 62 runs in eight overs. His wickets helped prevent Nepal from building an even bigger total. Khuzaima Tanveer also contributed two wickets, while Haider Ali and Adeeb Usmani picked up one wicket each.
Aayan Afzal Khan bowled economically, conceding 33 runs in eight overs without taking a wicket. However, Nepal’s partnerships and attacking batting during the final overs made it difficult for the UAE to restrict the scoring.
| Bowler | Overs | Runs | Wickets |
|---|---|---|---|
| Khuzaima Tanveer | 9 | 62 | 2 |
| Muhammad Mohsin | 6 | 41 | 0 |
| Aayan Afzal Khan | 8 | 33 | 0 |
| Haider Ali | 8 | 36 | 1 |
| Ibrar Ahmad | 8 | 62 | 4 |
| Akshdeep Nath | 4 | 20 | 0 |
| Adeeb Usmani | 7 | 49 | 1 |
The bowling figures show that Ibrar Ahmad played a major role in limiting Nepal’s scoring opportunities. Nevertheless, the UAE needed more consistent support from the other bowlers to restrict the opposition below 300 runs.
UAE Batting Performance: Second Innings
Chasing 314 runs, the UAE needed a strong beginning and meaningful partnerships. Tanish Suri provided an aggressive start by scoring 42 runs from 28 balls, including four boundaries and three sixes. However, the UAE lost early wickets, which created pressure on the middle order.
Rahul Chopra became the standout batter for the UAE. He remained unbeaten on 100 runs from 105 deliveries, hitting three fours and four sixes. His century demonstrated patience and determination, particularly as wickets continued to fall at the other end. Sohaib Khan also contributed significantly, scoring 52 runs from 57 balls with four fours and two sixes.
Harpreet Singh Bhatia added 33 runs, but the remaining batters could not provide enough support to complete the chase. The UAE finished at 269 runs, falling 44 runs short of Nepal’s target.
| Batter | Runs | Balls | 4s | 6s |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tanish Suri | 42 | 28 | 4 | 3 |
| Adeeb Usmani | 6 | 10 | 0 | 0 |
| Akshdeep Nath | 0 | 4 | 0 | 0 |
| Harpreet Singh Bhatia | 33 | 41 | 4 | 0 |
| Rahul Chopra | 100* | 105 | 3 | 4 |
| Aayan Afzal Khan | 9 | 19 | 1 | 0 |
| Sohaib Khan | 52 | 57 | 4 | 2 |
| Khuzaima Tanveer | 15 | 18 | 0 | 1 |
| Ibrar Ahmad | 1 | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| Muhammad Mohsin | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| Haider Ali | 0 | 9 | 0 | 0 |
Extras: 11 runs
Total: 269 all out in 49.1 overs.
Rahul Chopra’s century was particularly valuable because it kept the UAE’s hopes alive even when the team was losing wickets. Sohaib Khan’s half-century also created a useful partnership, but Nepal’s bowling attack eventually controlled the innings.
Nepal Bowling Performance: Second Innings
Nepal’s bowling attack played a decisive role in defending the target. Karan KC was particularly effective, taking three wickets for 49 runs in nine overs. His performance helped Nepal remove important UAE batters and maintain control of the match.
Lalit Rajbanshi also delivered an important spell, taking two wickets for 43 runs in ten overs. Sandeep Lamichhane, Dipendra Singh Airee, Rohit Paudel, Gulsan Jha, and Basir Ahamad each contributed one wicket. The bowling unit worked together to prevent the UAE from developing the partnerships required to reach the target.
| Bowler | Overs | Runs | Wickets |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lalit Rajbanshi | 10 | 43 | 2 |
| Karan KC | 9 | 49 | 3 |
| Sandeep Lamichhane | 10 | 53 | 1 |
| Dipendra Singh Airee | 10 | 52 | 1 |
| Rohit Paudel | 2 | 8 | 1 |
| Gulsan Jha | 6 | 42 | 1 |
| Basir Ahamad | 2.1 | 21 | 1 |
Karan KC’s three wickets were particularly important during the middle and final stages of the chase. Nepal’s bowlers also maintained pressure through regular breakthroughs, making it difficult for the UAE to build momentum.
Important Partnerships and Turning Points
Partnerships played a significant role in determining the outcome of this final. Nepal benefited from a strong opening stand between Arjun Kumal and Aasif Sheikh. Their partnership produced 97 runs for the first wicket, giving the team a stable platform. This early contribution allowed Nepal’s middle-order players to approach their innings with greater confidence.
Another important moment came when Aasif Sheikh and Rohit Paudel combined for a valuable partnership. Their contribution helped Nepal maintain its scoring rate. Later, Gulsan Jha’s attacking half-century increased the pressure on the UAE bowling attack.
During the second innings, the UAE initially showed positive intent through Tanish Suri. However, the early loss of wickets prevented the team from maintaining its scoring momentum. Rahul Chopra and Sohaib Khan offered resistance with their partnership, but Nepal’s bowlers continued to take wickets at important moments.
Key Players Who Influenced the Match
Several players delivered performances that influenced the final result. Their contributions were important in both batting and bowling departments.
Aasif Sheikh: His 102-run innings was the foundation of Nepal’s total. He showed excellent control, selected his shots carefully, and remained focused throughout a demanding innings.
Gulsan Jha: His 52 runs from 38 balls provided Nepal with an attacking boost. His ability to find boundaries during the later overs helped the team cross the 300-run mark.
Karan KC: His three wickets were important in restricting the UAE’s batting lineup. His bowling performance helped Nepal defend its total successfully.
Rahul Chopra: The UAE batter scored an unbeaten century, demonstrating excellent concentration. Despite the defeat, his performance was one of the biggest individual highlights of the match.
Sohaib Khan: His 52-run contribution helped the UAE maintain some hope during the chase. However, the loss of wickets at the other end made the target increasingly difficult.
What Made Nepal’s Victory Special?
Nepal’s victory was important because it demonstrated the team’s growing confidence in competitive international cricket. Scoring more than 300 runs in a final required contributions from multiple batters rather than relying on a single player. Aasif Sheikh’s century, Gulsan Jha’s half-century, and the supporting performances from the middle order provided a strong foundation.
The bowling performance was equally important. Defending a target of 314 runs requires discipline, patience, and the ability to take wickets regularly. Nepal managed to achieve these objectives by using different bowling options and maintaining pressure on the UAE batters.
The result also highlighted Nepal’s balanced team performance. While individual achievements attracted attention, the combined efforts of the batting, bowling, and fielding units ultimately secured the championship.
Nepal vs UAE: Lessons for Both Teams
The final offered several important lessons for both sides. Nepal demonstrated that building partnerships and maintaining a consistent scoring rate can create a strong position in a limited-overs match. Its batters understood when to defend, rotate the strike, and attack the opposition.
For the UAE, the match highlighted the importance of maintaining wickets during a long chase. Rahul Chopra and Sohaib Khan performed well, but the team needed more substantial contributions from its other batters. Losing wickets during the early stages made the required run rate more difficult to manage.
Both teams can use this contest to improve their future performances. Nepal can continue developing its batting depth and bowling consistency, while the UAE can focus on stronger middle-order partnerships and better control during pressure situations.
Conclusion
The Nepal national cricket team vs United Arab Emirates national cricket team match scorecard from the ACC Men’s Premier Cup 2026 final presents an exciting example of competitive associate cricket. Nepal scored 313/9 in 50 overs, while the UAE managed 269 all out in 49.1 overs. Nepal therefore secured an impressive 44-run victory and won the tournament.
Aasif Sheikh’s century, Gulsan Jha’s attacking half-century, and Karan KC’s three-wicket performance were among the most important contributions. Rahul Chopra’s unbeaten 100 and Sohaib Khan’s 52 also provided memorable moments for UAE supporters. Overall, the contest demonstrated the importance of teamwork, partnerships, disciplined bowling, and effective decision-making. It was a valuable final for both teams and an entertaining achievement for Nepal cricket.
