UAE qualify for Asia Cup after heartbreak for Nepal in Kuala Lumpur

Semi-final abandonment means national team progress to main event, and maintain their unbeaten record

UAE captain Chaya Mughal shakes hand with Nepal's Rubina Chhetry after the semi-final was abandoned in Kuala Lumpur. Courtesy Malaysia Cricket Association

Nepal's players were disconsolate after the abandonment ended their chances to progress to the Asia Cup.

UAE players huddled after the match was abandoned, meaning they advance to play at the Asia Cup.

UAE's semi-final against Nepal was hit by a deluge of rain between innings in the ACC Women's T20 Championship in Kuala Lumpur, forcing the match to be abandoned.

Chaya Mughal attempts to hit out, but scoring proved difficult for UAE's batters in their ACC Women's T20 Championship against Nepal in Kuala Lumpur.

Sita Rana Magar gives Ashmina Karmacharya a lift after she took five wickets for Nepal against UAE in the ACC Women's T20 Championship semi-final in Kuala Lumpur.

Nepal celebrate another wicket against UAE in the ACC Women's T20 Championship semi-final in Kuala Lumpur.

Sita Rana Magar does her 'Pushpa' celebration after taking one of her two wickets for Nepal in the ACC Women's T20 Championship semi-final in Kuala Lumpur.

The UAE will play against the stars of India, Pakistan and Sri Lanka in Bangladesh later this year after qualifying for the Asia Cup.

They have also extended their unbeaten streak to 19 matches.

However, they needed a large slice of luck to advance past Nepal in the semi-final of the ACC Women’s T20 Championship in Kuala Lumpur.

In an uncharacteristically nervy display with the bat, the national team were bowled out for 81 in their last-four clash at the Kinrara Oval.

The tournament favourites were stunned by the seam bowling of Ashmina Karmacharya, who took 5-10 to undermine UAE’s batting effort.

Nepal’s players were visibly thrilled as they strode from the field between innings, but their joy soon turned to disappointment.

Between innings, the ground was hit by a torrential rain shower. Although the weather did clear, it was not soon enough for a return to play.

The subsequent abandonment meant the UAE progressed to Saturday’s final – as well as the Asia Cup – on account of finishing top of their group in pool play.

It is the second time in recent years the weather in Kuala Lumpur has conspired against a side from Nepal when facing one from UAE.

Back in 2019, the UAE beat Nepal to a place at the Under 19 World Cup after a one-run win on Duckworth-Lewis after a rain affected game in Malaysia’s capital.

The abandonment also extended UAE’s undefeated run to 19 matches. If they win the final, they will match England’s world record for the longest run in women’s T20 internationals without a loss.