Nepal have created history as it joined cricket giants Pakistan and India after securing the final spot of the upcoming Asia Cup.

The South Asian country secured their birth on the reserve day of the Premier Cup final on Tuesday. They defeated United Arab Emirates (UAE) by seven wickets.

Chasing a low 118-run target, Gulsan Jha, who was promoted up in the batting order, scored an unbeaten 67, while Bhim Sharki remained not out on 36 as the host nation chased down the target in 30.3 overs.

UAE resumed their innings on the morning of the reserve day at 106/9, and Lalit Rajbanshi continued where he left off on Monday, taking the final wicket with a left-arm orthodox of his own to finish with 4/14 (7.1).

Leg-spinner Sandeep Lamichhane claimed 2/34 (10) at the other end, moving to a 33-ODI match streak of wicket-taking outings.

For UAE, Rohan Mustafa claimed figures of 2 for 13 from his 10 overs, while Aayan Afzal Khan managed to bag a wicket.

Jha smashed three boundaries and six maximums in his history-making knock. The pair finished with an unbeaten 96-run partnership.

Nepal will take the last spot in Group A, alongside India and Pakistan, with the Asia Cup slated for September.

The top three finishes of Nepal, UAE and Oman at the Premier Cup mean they will also feature in the ACC Emerging Teams Asia Cup in July, where they will take on ‘A’ Teams of five Full Members in the region.