Captain Puja steers Nepal to U19 Asia Cup semis

By A Staff Reporter,Kathmandu, Dec. 17: Puja Mahato's outstanding performance led Nepal to a six-wicket victory over Pakistan, securing a spot in the semi-finals of the ACC U-19 Women's Asia Cup held in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, on Monday.

After winning the toss and choosing to bat first at Bayuemas Oval, Nepal restricted the Pakistani team to just 104 runs, taking five wickets within the allotted 20 overs. In response, Nepal chased down the target of 105 runs, finishing at 105 for 4 in 19 overs.

Following their second consecutive loss, Pakistan has been eliminated from the competition. They previously lost their opening match to India by nine wickets. Nepal's next match is against India on Tuesday, which will determine the winner of Group B.

From Group A, Sri Lanka and Bangladesh have already advanced to the Super Four. Meanwhile, Pakistan and Malaysia, both of which have been knocked out, will play for fifth place.

Nepal's run chase did not get off to a strong start, with openers Sana Praveen (10 runs off 15 balls) and Sabitri Dhami (8 runs off 16 balls) both out within 6.1 overs, leaving the score at 28 runs. However, captain Puja, batting at number three, guided Nepal to its first victory at U19 Asia Cup, remaining unbeaten with 47 runs off 47 balls, which included three boundaries.

Puja formed a crucial 31-run partnership with vice-captain Sony Pakhrin for the third wicket, but Nepal lost Sony (13 runs off 20 balls) in the 12th over. Jyotsnika Marasini did not score and was dismissed after facing four balls. Puja then partnered with Simana KC for the fifth wicket, adding another 39 runs between them, with Simana finishing not out on 12 runs off 12 balls.

In Pakistan's bowling, Fatima Khan and Quratulain Ahsen each took one wicket.

The Pakistani team struggled against Nepal's disciplined bowling attack, losing three wickets—Fizza Fiaz, Ravail Farhan, and Areesha Ansari—within the first seven overs. 

Captain Puja Mahato trapped Fizza leg before wicket (lbw) for a duck. Ravail scored 13 runs off 15 balls before being caught by Puja off the bowling of Rachana Chaudhary in the fifth over. Riya Sharma bowled Areesha for just one run.

Komal Khan was the top scorer for Pakistan, managing a patient 38 runs off 43 balls. 

Maham Anees remained not out with 29 runs from 38 balls, while captain Zoofishan Ayyaz added 12 runs off 15 balls, and Fatima Khan contributed an unbeaten six runs. Captain Puja took two wickets for Nepal, with Rachana, Riya, and Simana each claiming one wicket.