ICC Women’s T20 WC: Nepal routs UAE by 7 wickets

KATHMANDU: Nepal has defeated the United Arab Emirates (UAE) by 7 wickets at its third match under the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup Asia Region Qualifier being held at Bangkok on Friday.

Chasing the 41-run target set by UAE, Nepal achieved it in 10.2 overs losing three wickets. Captain Rubina Chhetry top-scored with 18 not-out runs including two fours and one six off 17 balls, Kajal Shrestha collected 15 runs including two fours off 25 balls while Sita Rana Magar contributed six runs off 16 balls, securing win against the opponent.

UAE’s Esha Rohit and Kavisha Egodage grabbed 2 and 1 wickets respectively.

Earlier, electing to bat first after winning the toss, UAE set a 142-run target for Nepal. Chamani Seneviratna secured 13 runs including one four off 29 runs while the other batsmen could not achieve double-digit runs. UAE was all out for 41 runs in 17.3 overs.

In reply, Nepal’s Nary Thapa took highest 4 wickets of UAE, Sonu Khadka, Kabita Kunwar and Sita Rana Magar grabbed two wickets each, exerting pressure on UAE.

Nepal will take on Hong Kong on February 24 in its fourth match, against China on February 25 and against Kuwait on February 27. The winner of the qualifiers will be selected for the ICC Women T-20 World Cup Qualifier 2019.

A total of seven countries from Asia are participating in the qualifier. Nepal, the UAE, Malaysia, China, Hong Kong and Kuwait along with the host team Thailand are playing under the Round Robin League. Each team will play six games.

This qualifier would determine the raking of participating countries. Thailand is in the 12th position, UAE in the 14th while Nepal in the 16th in T-20 Ranking. A total of 27 countries including seven from Asia, nine from Africa, six from Oceania, three from Europe and two from America would compete in the first-phase selection.

A 14-member Nepali cricket team led by Captain Rubina Chhetri left here for Thailand on Saturday (February 16) for the same. Sita Rana Magar (Vice-Captain), Sarita Magar, Neri Thapa, Indu Barma, Sonu Khadka, Arati Bidari, Kajal Shrestha, Roma Thapa, Kabita Kunwar, Apsara Begam, Mamata Kumari Chaudhari and Bindu Rawal are in the team.

Similarly, Binod Das and Nira Rajopadhaya are the chief coach and assistant-coach of the team, respectively.