Nepal keeps Super Three hopes alive with six-wicket win over Bahrain

By A Staff Reporter,Kathmandu, May 16: Nepal's hopes of making the Super Three in the ICC T20 World Cup Asia Qualifier stayed alive after their six-wicket win over Bahrain in Bangkok, Thailand on Thursday.

The rain-hit game saw Nepal chasing a revised target of 56 runs in seven overs. Skipper Indu Barma led from the front, guiding Nepal to victory in 5.4 overs, finishing with 56/4 on the board.

With this win, Nepal moves to the top of the points table with five points from four matches—two wins, one loss, and one no result. Hong Kong sits second with four points from three games, while Bahrain has one point from three.

Nepal's Super Three qualification now hinges on the final group match between Bahrain and Hong Kong on Friday. Nepal needs Hong Kong to lose or the match to be washed out to secure their spot.

If Hong Kong loses, Nepal progresses to the Super Three. If rain ruins the match, Nepal advances based on more wins.

In her match-winning knock, skipper Indu smashed an unbeaten 24 off seven balls, hitting four boundaries and a six.

She built a crucial 33-run unbeaten stand for the fifth wicket with former skipper Rubina Chhetry, who remained not out on four off five deliveries.

Puja Mahato was Nepal's only other double-digit scorer, chipping in 13 off 11, with two boundaries. She and Indu added 15 runs for the fourth wicket.

Opener Samjhana Khadka fell for five, while Rubi Poddar (1) and Kabita Joshi (0) departed cheaply to Pavithra Shetty, who bagged three wickets for Bahrain. Shetty also bowled out Puja.

Earlier, Bahrain reached 76-3 in 12.4 overs before rain halted play. Rasika Rodrigo top-scored with 24 off 29 balls, while skipper Deepika Rasangika contributed 23 off 27. Opener Tharanga Gajanayake managed a run-a-ball 12.

Zayneb Fazli (4) and Abeera Waris (1) were at the crease when rain interrupted the match. Bahrain lost three wickets to run-outs.

The tournament features nine teams split into three groups. Group winners advance to the Super Three, with the top two teams securing spots in the Global Qualifier.