Gulshan Jha and Bhim Sharki proved too good for the arch-rival United Arab Emirates in the final of the Asian Cricket Council Premier Cup on Tuesday at the TU Cricket ground.
Chasing 118 runs for the win, Nepal were in a spot of bother, losing three quick wickets.
Kushal Bhurtel departed in the second over with just one run on the board and Aasif Sheikh (8) followed soon. Both lost their wickets while trying to play across the line, sweeping the spinners. Skipper Rohit Paudel (1) got bowled, trying to cut the ball.
FIFTY for Gulshan Jha, he loves batting against UAE, what a good move to send him high up the order today with his three boundaries and four sixes in his innings so far. #NEPvUAE pic.twitter.com/E9RiWB250a
— cricnepal.com 🇳🇵 🦏 (@cricnepal) May 2, 2023
Surprisingly, Gulshan Jha was promoted up the order to Number three and he didn’t disappoint. Jha kicked off with a six and went on to hit his second half-century in ODI, his second against the UAE. He also went on to hit the winning run to stay unbeaten on 67 runs off 84 balls with three boundaries and six maximums and gave the team a historic win and a spot in the Asia Cup.
“Thanks to everyone. Monty sir told me to go and play with my strength and I played accordingly,” Gulshan said during the post-match presentation.
“In regards to getting promoted to the Number 3 position in the batting order, I was ready with any position and my coach was motivating me,” Gulshan further added.
United Arab Emirates vs Nepal – Final – ACC Men’s Premier Cup 2023
Meanwhile, Jha was well supported by Bhim Sharki at the other end. Bhim didn’t have a good outing in the tournament, however, he occupied the crease and played a sensible knock of 36 runs from 72 balls, including four boundaries. The duo went on to make an unbeaten match-winning 96-run partnership for the fourth wicket and closed the chase in 30.3 overs.
On March 16, 2023, both Gulshan Jha (50*) and Bhim Sharki (67) batted for Nepal to defeat the UAE during the chase of 310 runs in ICC CWCL2 match.
