Captain Rohit Paudel on Nepal’s Asia Cup qualification: ‘This is just the beginning’

Rohit Paudel insists Asia Cup qualification is just the start for Nepal after they beat the UAE to a place in the continental competition.

The home side thrilled a pulsating crowd at Tribhuvan University in Kathmandu as they defeated their familiar rivals by seven wickets in a rain-affected ACC Premier Cup final.

It means Nepal will be pitched into a group with India and Pakistan at the Asia Cup in September.

The feat has been heralded by many as the greatest moment in the history of Nepal sport. But Paudel, the captain of the side, is hopeful it is the first of many such achievements.

“As a team, this is the beginning for us,” Paudel said. “We have just started, so there are many more to come, I think.”

For the second day in succession, thousands of supporters defied the abject weather forecast and flooded the muddy banks of the international cricket ground in Kirtipur.

On Monday, play had been suspended a little before noon after rain that had been steady but light since the start of play suddenly became a deluge. By that point, Nepal’s bowlers had reduced UAE to 106 for nine.

The playing conditions for the tournament mandated a reserve day for the final. It meant many thousands of people who had travelled hours to Nepal’s capital especially for the final had to make arrangements to stay the night.

They clearly managed it. Tuesday’s crowd was just as fervent as the previous day, and they were rewarded by seeing their national team take a momentous win.

Having eventually bowled the tourists out for 117, Nepal initially made a nervy start to their run chase.

The UAE opened with spin from both ends, and Rohan Mustafa – who ended with remarkable figures of two for 13 from 10 overs – and Aayan Khan reduced the hosts to 22