Nepal Women fall to UAE, exit semi‑final race

By A Staff Reporter,Kathmandu, Feb. 16: Captain Puja Mahato and Samjhana Khadka struck half‑centuries, but their efforts went in vain as Nepal’s women’s team slumped to a second consecutive defeat at the Women’s Asia Cup Rising Stars 2026 in Bangkok, Thailand.

Nepal went down by 18 runs to the United Arab Emirates (UAE) on Sunday, having lost their opening fixture to Pakistan ‘A’ by 30 runs. Consecutive defeats have ended Nepal’s hopes of reaching the semi‑finals, leaving them bottom of Group A without a point.

UAE, with two wins from two matches, lead the group on four points. Pakistan ‘A’ are second with two points from one win, while India ‘A’ are also yet to register a victory.

Chasing a daunting target of 190, Nepal finished on 171 for five in their 20 overs. Khadka and Mahato both reached fifties but could not avert defeat. 

Khadka made 58 from 39 balls with 11 boundaries before being caught by Rinitha Rajith off Heena Hotchandani. It was her second career half‑century.

Mahato compiled 53 from 35 deliveries, hitting eight fours and a six, before also falling to Hotchandani. It was her fourth T20I fifty. Fellow opener Bindu Rawal added 16 from 18 balls with three boundaries before being dismissed by Indhuja Nandakumar. 

Sita Rana Magar remained unbeaten on 22, while Roma Thapa was not out on nine. Kabita Kunwar (7) and Rubi Poddar (4) departed cheaply.

Earlier, Nepal had won the toss and opted to field at the Terdthai Cricket Ground in Bangkok. UAE posted 189 for four in their 20 overs, powered by a superb century from captain Esha Ojha. She struck 125 from 63 balls, including 14 fours and nine sixes, before being run out by Poddar off Riya Sharma’s delivery.

Hotchandani contributed an unbeaten 45. Rajith managed four before falling lbw to Kunwar, while opener Theertha Satish was dismissed for a duck.

For Nepal, Manisha Upadhyay claimed two wickets and Kunwar one. Nepal will face India ‘A’ in their final group match on Tuesday.

The Asia Cup features eight teams divided into two groups: Nepal, India ‘A’, Pakistan ‘A’ and UAE in Group A; hosts Thailand, Bangladesh, Malaysia and Sri Lanka in Group B.