Samjhana Khadka guides Nepal to historic first win in Asia Cup

Kathmandu, July 20: Nepal’s opener Samjhana Khadka’s not-out inning of 72 off 45 helped Nepal register a historic win in the Women’s Asia Cup. Nepal defeated the UAE in the tournament opener played at Rangiri Dambulla International Stadium in Sri Lanka on Friday.

Nepal was participating in the Asia Cup for the third time. The squad failed to register a win in eight of the matches played in 2012 and 2016.

Drawn with India, Pakistan and the UAE in the group stage of the 9th Women’s Asia Cup, Nepal’s highest chance for a win was against the UAE; and the team capitalised on it.

Samjhana hit the first ball of the 17th over for a four and took her score to 75, and the team to the first win in the Asia Cup. Nepal was chasing 116 runs after winning the toss and electing to field first.

"I am very happy that I had the opportunity to make the country proud. I would like to thank everybody," Samjhana said after the match. Samjhana smashed 11 fours and stayed not out at a strike rate of 160. Nepal chased the target with six wickets in hand. Of the six players who got the chance to bat, only Samjhana and Rubina Chhetri were able to reach the double figures. Nevertheless, Rubina got out as the fourth wicket after adding only 10 runs. 

Sita Rana Magar (7 off 17), Kabita Kunwar (2 off 10), Indu Barma (6 off 10) and Puja Mahato (7 off 7*) could not add enough; meanwhile, their support helped Samjhana end the match on a high note. The UAE used eight bowlers against Nepal; of them, only Kavisha Egodage completed her four-over spell. Kavisha took three wickets while Lavanya Keny bagged one for the UAE.

Nepal was able to restrict the UAE to 115/8 in the first inning as UAE’s skipper and dangerous opener Esha Oza, after two beautiful fours, got run out while trying to steal a single and keep the strike after the second over. Oza’s partner and another key player for the UAE Theertha Satish’s wicket was also a great achievement.

The UAE got momentum in the middle order when Kavisha started partnering with Khushi Sharma. However, Kritika Marasini came to the rescue as Kavisha (22 off 26) got caught out in the first ball of the 15th over. Khushi (36 off 39) got out in the 19th over as the seventh wicket.

Nepal had used seven bowlers. Alongside Kritika, Sabnam Rai also bagged a wicket; skipper Indu took three wickets in her four-over spell.

“It's a great win and we are happy. Thanks to CAN and our fans. It was our coach and captain's decision to make Samjhana open. We believe she can do well opening the batting. I am very happy with my team. They kept believing and I am very, very happy,” captain Indu said. Nepal will now face India and Pakistan on July 21 and 23 respectively. With one more win, Nepal can progress to the playoffs.

Nepal’s 15-member squad for the Women’s Asia Cup consists of half of the players who faced the UAE in January 2019.

Nepal suffered defeat in the group stage against Bangladesh, China and Sri Lanka in 2012. On the other hand, Nepal did not win a single of the five matches against India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh and Thailand in 2016.