Group Stage: Nepal won 2 against Bahrain, lost one game against Hong Kong and the other game was canceled due to rain
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The Nepali women's cricket team has qualified for the World Twenty20 cricket for the first time. After captain Indu Burma once again played a leading innings, Nepal reached the World Cup qualifiers by defeating UAE by 5 wickets in the 'Super Three' of the Women's Twenty20 Cricket World Cup Asian regional qualifiers being held in Bangkok, the capital of Thailand on Monday.
While Thailand had already defeated UAE by 54 runs the previous day, if Nepal wins the match against UAE on Monday, it would be an equation to reach the Twenty20 World Cup qualifiers one match earlier. Nepal played accordingly and succeeded in making history by defeating UAE. On Tuesday, Nepal will play the final match of the tournament against Thailand. "We have succeeded in creating history, Nepali women's cricket had not been able to realize this level of success," captain Indu told Kantipur from Bangkok, "we are just one step behind from reaching the World Cup, we want to win the match against Thailand on Tuesday and become the Asia champion."
Thailand and Nepal will play in World Cup qualifiers representing Asia. 10 teams will compete in the World Cup qualifiers. The top four teams will qualify for the 2026 World Twenty20 in England. Australia, England, India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, South Africa and West Indies have secured their place along with the defending champion New Zealand based on their performance in the last World Cup held in 2024.
From the World Cup two years ago, Bangladesh and Scotland secured their places in the World Cup qualifiers, while the United States became the winner from the American region and has reached the World Cup qualifiers. 2-2 from regional qualifiers in Europe and Africa and 1 from East Asia-Pacific, 5 more teams will reach the World Cup qualifiers. The date of the World Cup qualifiers and the host nation are yet to be announced. Nepali women's cricket has started playing international tournaments since 2007. After reaching the finals of the ACC Women's Championship in the first participation, the performance of the Nepali team, which was defeated by Bangladesh, was declining since then.
After the final trip 18 years ago, the achievement of the Nepali women's team on Monday is the biggest. UAE defeated by Nepal is the same team which got one day international recognition only three weeks ago. UAE, which has become an obstacle in Nepal's journey in recent years, has failed to qualify for the World Cup this time.
In July last year, Nepal defeated UAE by 6 wickets in the Asia Cup held in Sri Lanka. On Monday, Nepal has repeated the same great performance at Trade Thai Cricket Ground in Bangkok.
After winning the toss, Nepal managed to stop UAE, who were invited to bat, with a score of 114-7. Nepal controlled the game by giving only 45 runs in the first 10 overs. UAE captain Isha Ojha top scored with 39 runs. She hit 2 fours and 1 six off 39 balls. Thirtha Satish scored 21 off 32 balls, Heena Hotchandani scored 20 off 16 balls and Lavanya Kenny scored 12 off 11 balls.
Left handed bowler Manisha Upadhyay took 4 wickets from Nepal. She spent 20 runs in 4 overs. After he dismissed UAE captain Oja, Nepal dominated the game. After the match, Indu called the player of the match award to the stage and gave it to Manisha. "Manisha bowled economically and took important wickets to put Nepal in a good position, so she deserved it," said Indu. Kavita Kunwar took 2 wickets with 1 maiden in 4 overs and spent 18 runs and Rajmati Airi took 1 wicket with 22 runs in 4 overs.
After Indu scored an unbeaten 30 runs, Nepal completed the target with 3 balls to spare. The beginning of Nepal was not good. Rajmati was dismissed for 8 runs off 13 balls and Kavita scored 5 runs off 8 balls. Opener Mjakan Khadka scored 21 runs off 27 balls hitting 3 fours while vice-captain Pooja Mahato hit 1 four off 19 balls and got out for 13 runs.
Indu and ex-captain Rubina Kshatri shared a vital 37 runs to bring Nepal close to victory. Rubina hit 3 fours off 18 balls and scored 23 runs. Indu scored the winning run and hit 2 fours off 28 balls. Ruby Podar remained unbeaten with 6 runs off 4 balls. Indu says that besides doing well in all areas, she was able to win when everyone understood their responsibilities and did not play in haste.
When the first round of the match was affected by rain, Nepal was in a position to withdraw. Had they defeated Bahrain in the last match of Group C, Hong Kong would have reached the Super Three. But after that match was canceled due to rain, Nepal advanced. It is also a matter of luck, but we have also worked hard. Can also made a good plan for the tournament,' Indu further suggested, 'More investment should be made in women's cricket and an environment should be created to play matches.'
