Nepal set the United Arab Emirates a target of 314 runs in the final of the ACC Men’s Premier Cup after opener Aasif Sheikh struck a century in Malaysia on Saturday.

Nepal, who won the toss and elected to bat, posted 313 for nine from their 50 overs at the Bayuemas Oval in Kuala Lumpur. Aasif top-scored with 106 off 102 balls, hitting eight fours and four sixes.

It was Nepal’s highest total against the UAE in a one-day international, surpassing the 289 they scored against them in Kirtipur in May. Nepal have now crossed the 300-run mark only four times in ODIs. Their 313 is also their third-highest ODI total.

The century was Sheikh’s second in ODIs. He had previously scored 110 against Papua New Guinea in Kirtipur in March 2023.

Sheikh came into the final under pressure after managing only 93 runs in Nepal’s first five matches of the tournament. He provided the foundation for Nepal’s innings before falling while attempting a pull off Haider Ali, with Aayan Khan taking the catch at fine leg.

Sheikh and Arjun Kumal put on 97 for the opening wicket from 21 overs, Nepal’s highest partnership of the tournament after a series of underwhelming batting performances. The stand ended when Kumal was run out for 43 off 63 balls, having hit six fours.

Ishan Pandey then made 13 off 20 balls before edging behind off Adeeb Usmani.

Sheikh and Rohit Paudel rebuilt the innings with a 68-run partnership for the third wicket in fewer than nine overs. Paudel later added another 67 with Gulsan Jha for the fourth wicket in nine overs.

Paudel scored 40 off 44 balls, hitting two fours, before he was caught behind attempting to drive a ball outside off stump from Khuzaima Tanveer.

Jha reached his half-century from 36 balls, hitting a straight six off Tanveer in the process. He eventually made 52 off 38 balls, with three fours and four sixes.

Sandeep Jora was dismissed for seven off four balls, while Karan KC made only one. Dipendra Singh Airee was out after scoring 18, and captain Sandeep Lamichhane also managed just one.

Bashir Ahmad provided a late flourish, hitting two fours and a six in his 15 off four balls. Lalit Rajbanshi remained unbeaten on one.

The UAE entered the final unbeaten. Nepal, after winning their first three matches, lost their final group-stage game to Hong Kong, China, by 15 runs.

Nepal had a poor outing with the bat in the semi-final, being bowled out for 147, but their bowlers restricted Oman to 87 as they advanced with a 60-run victory.

The tournament, organised by the Asian Cricket Council, offers the winner a place in the 2027 Asia Cup. Nepal are the defending champions of the 50-over competition.

In the 2023 edition, hosted in Nepal, the hosts beat the UAE by seven wickets in the final to win the tournament for the first time and qualify for the Asia Cup.