Nepal-W beat Hong Kong-W by six wickets

By A Staff Reporter,Kathmandu, Mar. 15: Nepal secured their second win in the Women's Day Cup Twenty20 International Series following a six-wicket triumph over Hong Kong in Entebbe, Uganda, on Friday.

Despite this victory, Nepal finished at the bottom of the table in the league round. They had gone to Uganda aiming to win the title, but now they will play in the third-place playoff match on March 16 against Hong Kong in a repeat match. Out of six league matches, Nepal managed only two wins—one against host Uganda and the other against Hong Kong. With four points, Nepal stands in fourth place. Leader Uganda and Namibia will play the final.

Electing to bat first at Entebbe Cricket Oval, Hong Kong-W posted 104 runs for the loss of eight wickets in 20 overs. In reply, Nepal-W chased the 105-run target, losing six wickets with three balls to spare.

After the much-needed win, Captain Indu Barma expressed her determination to improve in the next match. "We wanted this win for our team. Samjahana Khadka played an excellent innings. 

We need to work on our shortcomings and will come back stronger in the next match," she said. "From the start, we had the mindset to bat through till the end. We kept pushing ourselves both ways," Barma added.

Samjhana Khadka delivered a match-winning performance with an explosive 47 runs off 43 balls, including three boundaries. Nepal made an impressive start with a 53-run opening stand between Samjhana and Captain Indu Barma. Indu contributed a patient 18 runs off 32 balls.

Puja Mahato, batting at one-down, played a key role in Nepal's famous win, remaining unbeaten with 20 runs off 26 balls. Alisha Kumari Yadav (5) hit the winning run for Nepal. However, Nepal lost Roma Thapa (4) and Bindu Rawal (4) on  run-outs.

Earlier, Hong Kong's innings were powered by Shanzeen Shahzad’s half-century. Opener Shanzeen steadied Hong Kong’s batting after the team lost two quick wickets within eight balls. She smashed five boundaries and one six to score 54 runs off 47 balls. Middle-order batters Chan Ka Ying (16 off 29) and Yasmin Daswani (14 off 15) also contributed double-digit scores.

Nepal’s Rajmati Airee was the standout bowler, taking three wickets. Captain Barma claimed two wickets, while Puja Mahato and Ishwori Bist picked up one wicket each.