Milestone for Kunwar, setback for Nepal in Kigali

By A Staff Reporter,Kathmandu, Apr. 25: On a day when Kabita Kunwar became Nepal’s leading wicket-taker in women’s T20 Internationals, the national side fell to a 22-run defeat against Vanuatu at the ICC Women’s T20I Challenge Trophy 2026 on Friday.

Kunwar overtook Sita Rana Magar’s tally of 62 wickets to become Nepal’s top wicket-taker in women’s T20Is. 

By dismissing Vanuatu’s Vanessa Vira, the right-arm medium pacer claimed her 63rd scalp. 

It was the only wicket she managed in her 69th T20I and 68th innings. 

She had so far picked up seven wickets for Nepal in the inaugural edition of Challenge Trophy hosted in Rwanda. Her career-best figures remain 3-10 against Malaysia in Kuala Lumpur on 7 October 2025.

On Wednesday, Kunwar had drawn level with Magar by removing two Rwandan batters. Until then, Magar led the charts with 62 wickets from 61 innings in the shortest format. 

Former captain Rubina Chhetry Belbashi sits third with 55 wickets from 87 matches and 75 innings.

Despite Kunwar’s milestone, Nepal were on receiving end at Gahanga International Cricket Stadium in Kigali.

Chasing 98, Nepal were bowled out for 75 in 15.3 overs. Opener Samjhana Khadka top-scored with 24 off 19 balls, striking four boundaries.  Captain Indu Barma contributed 13 from nine deliveries, while Kunwar added 10 from 17. No other batter reached double figures.

Nepal’s reliable opener Bindu Rawal (1), vice-captain Puja Mahato (1) and Rubi Poddar (7) departed cheaply as the side slumped to 28/3 in the powerplay. 

The only notable partnerships were Khadka’s 17-run stands with Poddar for the second wicket and with Barma for the third. Roma Thapa (5), Rubina Chhetry (1), Manisha Upadhayay (1) and Rachana Chaudhary (0) failed to make an impact as the innings collapsed. 

Vira and Nasimana Navaika shared six wickets between them, dismantling Nepal’s batting.  Vira finished with 3-11, while Navaika returned 3-17. Selina Solman chipped in with two wickets.

Earlier, Vanuatu posted 97-5 in their 20 overs. Opener Valenta Langiatu anchored the innings with 42 off 50 balls, including two fours and two sixes. 

Navaika added 18 from 26, while Solman and Susan Stephen chipped in with 10 apiece. 

Solman and Gillian Chilia (4) remained unbeaten as Nepal’s bowlers struggled for breakthroughs.

Riya Sharma claimed two wickets, while Upadhayay, Kunwar and Chaudhary picked one each. 

For her all-round display, Navaika was named Player of the Match.

Nepal had opened the tournament with a 44-run defeat to the USA before bouncing back with victories over Italy and hosts Rwanda by 50 runs and two wickets respectively. 

At the end of the first round, Nepal have four points from two wins and two defeats. Their next fixture is against the USA on 26 April, the first match of second round.