Puja Mahato and U19 team ignite hope for Nepal's cricket future

By Nayak Paudel/Nagendra Kumar Karna, Kathmandu/Mahottari, Dec. 18: Cricket has become a powerful platform for Nepal to shine globally, with the national men’s team impressing in the 2024 T20 World Cup and the ongoing Nepal Premier League (NPL) boosting the sport’s profile. However, it’s not just the men making waves—Nepal’s female cricketers are also setting new benchmarks, particularly the U19 women’s team.

The U19 women recently achieved remarkable success by qualifying for the inaugural T20 Asia Cup and the second T20 World Cup. Outplaying hosts UAE and teams like Thailand and Kuwait in the Asian Qualifiers, these young talents have inspired a new generation of cricketers.

Currently competing in the Asia Cup, Nepal’s U19 women have reached the Super 4 stage alongside cricketing powerhouses India, Sri Lanka, and Bangladesh. A historic win against Pakistan, an ICC full member, on December 16 marked a milestone for Nepali cricket. Although their match against India on December 17 was washed out due to rain, Nepal’s spirited performance with both bat and ball has drawn admiration.

As Nepal faces Sri Lanka and Bangladesh in the Super 4 on December 19 and 20, hopes are high. The top two teams from this stage will compete in the final on December 22. If Nepal secures a spot in the final, it will further cement cricket’s growing appeal among Nepali girls, solidifying the sport’s role in shaping the country’s sporting future.

Puja’s journey 

Puja Mahato, the skipper of Nepal’s U19 women’s cricket team, is a rising star who also represents the senior women’s team. She debuted for the senior side on August 22, 2023, against Hong Kong, and played her 20th match with them against India in the Women’s Asia Cup on July 23, 2024. Puja’s leadership in the U19 squad has been exceptional, as she has used her senior team experience to guide her young teammates effectively. However, her journey to becoming one of Nepal’s brightest cricketing talents has been far from easy.

Born in Dumarwana, Mahottari district, Puja is the second child of Ranjit Mahato, who supported his family by selling vegetables on a cart in Delhi, India. It was in Delhi that Puja discovered cricket. “I wanted to join the police or army, but circumstances led me to cricket. My parents couldn’t afford academy fees, but a coach who saw potential in me let me train,” Puja shared. She started training just four years ago and has already taken Nepal to major tournaments like the World Cup and Asia Cup.

Puja credits her brother, Krishna Mahato, for introducing her to Nepali cricket. Krishna connected her with Roshan Kumar Singh, Vice President of CAN, who facilitated her move to Kathmandu to pursue cricket. “Uncle Roshan believed in me, and his support helped me represent Nepal on the world stage,” she said.

Returning to Mahottari after Nepal’s historic achievements, Puja was honoured by local and provincial governments and organizations. Her father, who came back from India to celebrate, expressed his pride and dream of seeing Puja take Nepal to even greater heights. After a brief family reunion, Puja returned to Kathmandu to prepare for the Asia Cup, while her father resumed his vegetable business in Delhi.

Puja’s success has inspired a new generation in Mahottari, where locals now dream of their daughters emulating her. Advocating for broader support for female athletes, Puja has urged authorities to expand Madhes Province’s slogan, “Chhori Padhau, Chhori Bachau (Educate daughters, save daughters),” to include “Chhori Khelau (Let daughters play).” Her journey stands as a testament to resilience and a call to empower girls through sports.

Puja’s squad

Puja was the leading run scorer and the only centurion in the Asian Qualifiers for the U19 Asia Cup and World Cup. An all-rounder, Puja scored 272 runs and bagged 10 wickets, second-highest for Nepal, in six games of the qualifiers.

However, Puja’s sole effort would never have been enough for Nepal to win every game and emerge victorious against three opponents in the Qualifiers. 

Among the 15-member squad representing Nepal in the Women’s U19 Asia Cup, four players are under the central contract from the Cricket Association of Nepal (CAN). While vice-captain Sony Pakhrin, Sana Praveen and Jyotsnika Marasini have a contract under the emerging category (salary of Rs. 20,000 per month), Puja is contracted under Grade C (Rs. 30,000 per month).

Puja has also been stressing in pre- and post-match conferences that other players in the squad have been giving their all and are trying to improve every day to challenge the cricketing heavyweights.

The determination of the young girls, despite limited training and resources, inspired senior Nepal women's cricket players to welcome them at Tribhuvan International Airport on November 14, following their return from the UAE where they bested the hosts against all the odds. 

Players including Seemana KC, Alisha Kumari Yadav, Krishma Gurung, Riya Sharma and Rachana Chaudhary have also been showing potential with their skills in the last few matches and cementing the expectation that the new generation of Nepal women’s cricket has big dreams.