Nepal fall to USA in Women’s Challenge Trophy opener

By A Staff Reporter,Kathmandu, Apr. 19: Nepal suffered a 44‑run defeat against the USA in their opening match of the ICC Women’s T20I Challenge Trophy in Kigali, Rwanda, on Saturday.

Opting to field first at the Gahanga International Cricket Stadium, Nepal invited the USA to bat. The Americans posted 123 for six in 20 overs. In reply, Nepal managed only 79 for nine in their allotted overs.

Opener Bindu Rawal top‑scored for Nepal with 27 off 45 balls. The only other double‑figure contribution came from Kabita Joshi, who made 11 from 20 deliveries lower down the order. The rest of the batting line‑up struggled, with wickets tumbling regularly as Rawal resisted until the final over.

Of the seven bowlers used by the USA, six took wickets. Maahi Madhavan and Taranum Chopra claimed two apiece, while Aditiba Chudasama, Ritu Singh, Lekha Shetty and Sainavi Kambalapalli picked up one each.

Earlier, the USA had lost two quick wickets in the opening over, but Chetna Pagydyala, Pooja Ganesh and Gargi Bhogle steadied the innings with useful knocks. Ganesh top‑scored with 47 off 49 balls, Bhogle added 34 from 27, and opener Pagydyala contributed 30 from 37.

For Nepal, Manisha Upadhayay took two wickets, while Kabita Kunwar and Riya Sharma claimed one each.

Nepal will face Italy in their second outing on Sunday.