Thailand wins T20I tri-series, host Nepal winless in 6 games

Kathmandu, Feb. 8: Thailand upheld their reputation as the highest-ranked T20I team in the tri-series, emerging victorious against host nation Nepal and the Netherlands at the Kirtipur-based TU International Cricket Ground. Thailand lifted the trophy defeating Nepal in the duo’s third and final encounter of the tri-series played across a triple round-robin format from January 30 to February 7.

It would have come to net run rate between Thailand and the Netherlands had the former lost to Nepal on Friday. However, Thailand, placed 13th in the Women's T20i Team Rankings by the ICC, could not be bested by 20th-positioned Nepal. Nevertheless, Thailand could not win the tournament as the unbeaten team as they lost to the 16th-positioned Netherlands in the duo’s third and final encounter on Thursday.

Hosts’ poor batting

The Nepali women’s team scored their highest total at the TU Cricket Ground during the tri-series suggesting that they batted well. However, a good performance with the bat was not consistent. 

From the two highest totals at the ground, both coming against the Netherlands, Nepal posted the lowest total of the tri-series in the final game.

“We want to bat first. The wicket is flatter and we want to get more runs on the scoreboard,” said Nepal’s skipper Indu Barma after winning the toss.

However, despite batting for all 20 overs, Nepal could only post 81/7 on the board. Opener Samjhana Khadka (17 off 29), skipper Barma (1o off 21) and Kabita Joshi (14 off 12) scored in double figures for the team. The only other batter to do so was Rajmati Airee who was replacing Roma Thapa compared to the squad that faced the Dutch side on February 5.

Coming without any changes despite the loss to the Netherlands on February 6, Thailand could restrict Nepal to 19 runs in the first powerplay. Onnicha Kamchomphu claimed three wickets while Suleeporn Laomi, Chanida Sutthiruang and Nattaya Boochatham bagged one each.

Thailand did not have much trouble in the chase as the total was low. Skipper Barma took the helm with the ball and sent two of the top three batters back to the pavilion. She took two wickets, bowled a maiden and gave 16 runs in her four-over spell. Puja Mahato took the first wicket when she clean-bowled Aphisara Suwanchonrathi in the second ball of the second over.

However, opener Nattaya Boochatham’s 11 off 13 and Nannapat Koncharoenkai’s 23 off 32 came in handy for Thailand’s captain Naruemol Chaiwai to chase the target successfully within 17 overs. Chaiwai stayed not out at 27 off 34 with all-rounder Phannita Maya (9 off 19).

Nannapat was the leading run-scorer of the tournament with 166 runs in six games. Sterre Kalis stood in second position with 160 runs while Nepali teenage sensation Puja Mahato was at third with 134 runs. Barma was the only other Nepali player to cross the 100-run mark in total; she had 104 runs in six games. 

Despite being wicketless in the final game, Thipatcha Putthawong was the leading wicket-taker of the tri-series with 16 in six games.

Good series for host

“It was a good experience for the women’s team as they played against two ODI nations: Thailand and the Netherlands,” said Paras Khadka, secretary at the Cricket Association of Nepal (CAN). Thanking the two visiting sides for their time to play in Nepal across a triple round-robin format, Khadka, former captain of the Nepali men’s team, stressed that Nepali players had many things to learn from the tournament.

Speaking during the toss, Nepali skipper Barma also praised the tri-series as it provided exposure and experience to several young cricketers in the squad.

“Young players are getting more and more opportunity. We learned many things from the two better opponents despite losing the games,” said Barma.

Nepal lost all six games to the Netherlands and Thailand; however, the two better sides did not have an easy win in any of the encounters against the host.