Nepal Cricket Team Returns Home After Retaining ACC Premier Cup Title

Dragon Media News Desk

The Nepal national cricket team returned home on Sunday night after defeating the UAE by 44 runs to successfully defend the ACC Premier Cup title. Nepal beat the UAE in Saturday’s final in Malaysia to win the tournament for a second consecutive time.

The title-winning squad received a grand welcome at Tribhuvan International Airport, where supporters and officials from the Cricket Association of Nepal gathered to greet the players and coaching staff. The team was welcomed with flower garlands and enthusiastic chants from fans.

With the victory, Nepal has qualified for the ODI Asia Cup for a second consecutive time. Under the Asian Cricket Council format, the winner of the Premier Cup earns a place in the Asia Cup alongside Test-playing nations such as India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh and Afghanistan. Nepal therefore secured another opportunity to compete on one of Asia’s biggest cricket stages.

Nepal had first qualified for the Asia Cup in 2023 after defeating the UAE by seven wickets in the final of the ACC Premier Cup played on home soil. The team went on to make a historic Asia Cup appearance, facing world-class sides including India and Pakistan.

By retaining the Premier Cup title this time, Nepal has secured a place in the Asia Cup for a second consecutive edition. The achievement is being viewed as an important boost for the national side after a period of fluctuating performances in international cricket.

The back-to-back Premier Cup titles have not only lifted the team’s morale but also strengthened Nepal’s competitive presence in Asian cricket.