Nepal loses to Bangladesh as run-out error continues

Kathmandu, Jan. 19: Nepali girls made history by qualifying for the 2nd ICC Women’s U-19 T20 World Cup and have expressed the desire to leave another mark by surprising fans on the world stage. However, Nepal did not have a good start as expected when the World Cup between 16 teams kicked off across Malaysia on Saturday.

During the farewell in Kathmandu a week ago, Nepali skipper Puja Mahato stressed the desire to defeat Bangladesh in the first official game of the World Cup as they had lost in the Asia Cup in December 2024 as well. 

Meanwhile, the Nepali team was haunted by run-outs once again following which they could only post a paltry target against Bangladesh at YSD-UKM Cricket Oval, Bangi. 

Nepal had lost two of the four wickets in the win over Pakistan on December 16 last year to run-outs. A day later, Nepal had two run-outs in the eight wicket-loss while batting first against India. 

Furthermore, when Nepal faced Bangladesh in the Super 4 on December 20, 2024, four of the eight wickets lost by Nepal were a result of run-outs. 

The squad also suffered three run-outs each against the USA and West Indies in the warm-up games of the World Cup on January 15 and 13 respectively. 

And when Nepal met Bangladesh once again on Saturday, Nepal lost five wickets to run-outs while getting all-out at 52 runs in 18.2 overs. Skipper Mahato was the first to get run out as the second wicket of Nepal and was followed by Alisha Kumari Yadav, Seemana KC, Anu Kadayat and Rachana Chaudhary who fell as sixth, seventh, eighth and ninth wickets in a span of four overs.

Moreover, Nepal’s total of 52 runs on Saturday was far less compared to Nepal posting 54/8 against Bangladesh in the game reduced to 11 overs during the Asia Cup last year.

Opener Sana Praveen (19 off 32) and Seemana (1o off 16) were the only two Nepali to score in double digits

Nevertheless, while the batters failed, the bowling and fielding sides did not lose hope. Nepali bowlers and fielders kept mounting pressure on Bangladesh. As a result, Nepal restricted Bangladesh to 11/3 in 2.4 overs giving hope for defending the low target.

Rachana and Riya Sharma took care of the opening duo – Mst Sumaiya Akther Suborna and Fahomida Choya – in the first two overs respectively. And Juairiya Ferdous departed as the third wicket in the third over for a run-out.

Nepal had to prevent even a single partnership if they wanted to win the low-scoring game. But in-at four and five, Sadia Islam and skipper Sumaiya Akter, partnered well and took the team near the win.

Islam and Akter added 16 off 24 and 12 off 24 before departing as the fourth and fifth wickets respectively. But by the time Akter departed as the fifth wicket, Bangladesh required only 12 more runs from 58 deliveries.

Nepal will need to prevent confusion between the batter and non-striker so that they do not give away wickets to run-outs in every game.

Nepal faces Scotland and Australia on January 20 and 22 respectively. The youngsters need at least one win in the group stage to progress to the Super 6.