Nepal go down to Netherlands for third straight defeat

By A Staff Reporter

Kathmandu, Feb. 3: Nepali senior women cricketers are experiencing a reality check at the Women's T20I Triangular Series. The host team suffered their second consecutive defeat against the Netherlands, losing by 15 runs at TU Cricket Ground in Kirtipur on Sunday. 

Nepal also lost their opening match to the Dutch team by 20 runs. On Saturday, they faced a 4-wicket loss to Thailand. 

With three defeats in a row, Nepal currently sits at the bottom of the table.

Bettering on a net run rate, Thailand leads the standings with four points from two wins, while the Netherlands is in second place, also with four points from two wins and one loss. Both of the victories of the Dutch team came against the host team.

Chasing a target of 141 runs, Nepal managed to score only 125 runs for the loss of eight wickets in their full 20 overs. Captain Indu Barma was the top scorer for Nepal, making 30 runs off 32 balls. 

Opener Samjhana Khadka contributed significantly with 23 runs from 25 balls, including four boundaries. Other notable scorers included U19 Captain Puja Mahato, who scored 18 runs off 18 balls, Kabita Joshi with 14 runs off 15 balls, and Sita Rana Magar, who finished not out with 10 runs off 6 balls.

The top order kept the home team in contention until Kabita's wicket fell in the 17th over, with Nepal at 100 runs. After that, the batting lineup collapsed, losing three wickets for just 15 runs and ultimately running out of overs.

Iris Zwilling, Caroline de Lange, and Heather Siegers each took two wickets, causing significant damage to the Nepali batting order.

Earlier, the visiting team chose to bat first, posting a total of 140 runs for the loss of 9 wickets in their 20 overs. 

Captain Babette de Leede led the batting charge for the Netherlands with 41 runs off 38 balls, which included four fours and one six. Opener Phebe Molkenboer scored 16 runs off 21 balls, Robine Rijke contributed 21 runs off 15 balls, and Heather Siegers added 26 runs off 23 balls to help set a challenging target.

Nepal's Sita Rana achieved her best bowling figures with 5 wickets for 12 runs, but her performance was not enough to prevent the visitors from posting a defendable total. Manisha Upadhayay took two wickets, while Captain Indu Barma and Kabita Joshi each claimed one wicket.

Nepal's next match will be against Thailand on Tuesday, while the Netherlands and Thailand are scheduled to meet on Monday.