Nepali women crush Italy by 50 runs

By A Staff Reporter,Kathmandu, Apr. 20: Nepal bounced back at the ICC Women’s T20I Challenge Trophy with a 50-run win over Italy in Kigali, Rwanda, on Sunday.

The Nepali women had opened the tournament with a 44-run defeat against the USA on Saturday.

Electing to bat first at Gahanga International Cricket Stadium Oval B, Nepal posted 112 runs for eight wickets in the allotted 20 overs. Italy, chasing 113, folded for 62 in 18.4 overs.

Rubina Chhetry inflicted the most damage on the Italian batting with a miserly spell. She picked up four wickets for just four runs in 2.4 overs, including one maiden.

Three-down Thilini Fernando was Italy’s top scorer with a patient 46-ball 22. Pasindi Kanankege added 12 off 15 balls from the tail. Italian batters struggled against Nepal’s disciplined bowling, losing three wickets for just eight runs.

Manisha Upadhayay bowled out opener Methnara Rathnayake (2) in the 2.1 over. Fellow opener Alexia Kontopirakis (6) and captain Emilia Bartram fell in successive balls of the fourth over to Kabita Kunwar. Italy slumped to 28 for five in 10.1 overs, before the remaining five wickets fell for just 34 runs. Kumudu Peddrick (9) and Dilasiha Nanayakkara (1) added minor contributions.

Kabita finished with figures of 2-12, while Upadhayay, Riya Sharma and Rachana Chaudhary claimed one wicket each.

Earlier, vice-captain Puja Mahato anchored Nepal’s innings with an unbeaten 48. She struck two boundaries and a six off 45 deliveries. Opener Bindu Rawal hit two fours in her 26-ball 15, while partner Samjhana Khadka chipped in with 16 off 13 balls, laced with two boundaries.

After Khadka’s dismissal in the fourth over with 19 on the board, Rawal paired with Mahato for 16 runs before falling in the eighth over. Mahato then shared a 24-run stand with captain Indu Barma, who contributed 10 off 14 balls before departing in the 12th over with the score at 59.

Though Kabita Kunwar managed only four runs, she added 13 with Mahato. Kabita Joshi (6) and Roma Thapa (0) fell in successive balls of the 16th over. Rubina Chhetry (5) and Rachana Chaudhary also departed cheaply, leaving Nepal at 87 for eight in 17.4 overs.

Riya Sharma (2) supported Mahato at the other end to push Nepal past the 100-run mark. The pair added an unbeaten 25-run stand for the ninth wicket.

Italy’s Emilia Bartram was the pick of their bowlers with three wickets. Fernando, Kanankege, Ilenia Sims, Kontopirakis and Peddrick claimed one each.

Nepal will next face hosts Rwanda on 22 April.