KATHMANDU: In an encounter at the Hong Kong Cricket Club ground, Nepal has set a challenging target of 116 runs for Japan in the ongoing women’s T20 series featuring four nations.

Opting to bat first, Nepal posted a total of 115 runs for the loss of 5 wickets.

Opener Puja Mahato led the charge with an impressive knock of 43 runs, including 3 fours, off 51 balls.

Roma Thapa and Rubina Chhetri contributed 22 and 21 runs, respectively, with Thapa hitting 3 fours in 19 balls and Chhetri striking 2 fours in 19 balls.

Captain Indu Barma chipped in with 12 runs, hitting 1 boundary off 21 balls.

On the bowling front, Japan’s Ahilya Chandel, Erika Tongchi Queen, and Ayumi Fujikawa each took a wicket.

As Japan takes on the challenge, they are currently at 18 runs after 5 overs of play.

Nepal, determined to secure the third-place finish after losses to Hong Kong and Tanzania in the league stage, had previously defeated Japan by a convincing 67-run margin.

The winners and runners-up of this series will advance to face Hong Kong and Tanzania in the upcoming matches.

The competition promises more excitement as teams vie for supremacy in this fiercely contested T20 series.