Nepal registers first win in Women’s Asia Cup

Kathmandu / July 19: The Nepal national women’s cricket team defeated the United Arab Emirates by six wickets in the first match of the ACC Women’s T20 Asia Cup in Dambulla, Sri Lanka, on Friday.

It is Nepal’s first victory in the tournament. Nepal previously participated in the first and second editions of the tournament, held in 2012 in China and 2016 in Thailand. In both editions, they had finished the group stage winless and at the bottom of the table.

Nepal chased down the 116-target set by the UAE with 23 balls to spare as opener batter Samjhana Khadka completed a quickfire half-century. Khadka played a standout innings, remaining unbeaten on 72 off 45 balls, including 11 boundaries, to steer Nepal to victory.

In the run chase, Nepal lost opener Sita Rana Magar and Kabita Kunwar early for just seven and two runs respectively. Skipper Indu Barma was out for six runs. Khadka held the innings for Nepal with wickets tumbling at the other end. Rubina Chhetry’s brisk 10 off eight balls and Puja Mahato’s quick seven not out ensured that Nepal went past the target.

For the UAE, Kavisha Egodage completed her four-over spell, grabbing three wickets for 12 runs. Lavanya Keny took a wicket.

Earlier put to bat first after losing the toss, the UAE notched up 115-8 on the board.

Khushi Sharma anchored the UAE innings, scoring 36 runs off 39 balls, and Kavisha Egodage contributed 22 from 26 deliveries after top-order batters failed to impress. The UAE Women struggled to build partnerships falling short of setting a competitive target.

For Nepal, skipper Indu Barma claimed three wickets, giving away 19 runs in her four-over spell, while Sabnam Rai and Kritika Marasini took a wicket each.

Nepal next play Pakistan, who were runners-up in both editions Nepal participated, on Sunday and cricket’s powerhouse India on July 23.