Nepal women stun Rwanda with 38‑run win

By A Staff Reporter,Kathmandu, Apr. 29: Nepal’s women’s cricket team registered their third victory at the ICC Women’s T20I Challenge Trophy with a 38‑run win over hosts Rwanda in Kigali on Tuesday.

With three wins and three defeats from six outings, Nepal sit third on six points, trailing the USA and Rwanda. 

The USA lead the table with 10 points from five wins and one loss, while the hosts occupy second spot with eight points from four wins and three defeats. The side topping the double round‑robin league will claim the title.

Electing to bat first, Nepal laboured to 103 for seven in 20 overs. Rwanda, in reply, were bundled out for 65 in 17.4 overs as Nepali bowlers compensated for the batting frailties with a ruthless display.

Player of the match Manisha Upadhayay spearheaded the attack with three wickets for just 10 runs, including a maiden, in her miserly four‑over spell. 

Nepal’s leading wicket‑taker Kabita Kunwar, Rachana Chaudhary and Riya Sharma shared six wickets between them. Kunwar’s 2‑17 took her T20I tally to 65, three clear of veteran Sita Rana Magar. Chaudhary finished with 2‑11 and Sharma 2‑13.

For Rwanda, skipper Marie Bimenyimana (19 off 27) and Geovanis Uwase (12 off 7) were the only batters to reach double figures. Three fell for ducks, while the rest departed cheaply.

Earlier, Nepal’s top order faltered against Rwanda’s attack, slumping to 23 for four inside 5.1 overs. Samjhana Khadka (6), Bindu Rawal (2), Puja Mahato (5) and Rubi Poddar (6) all failed to settle.

It was skipper Indu Barma who steadied the innings with a captain’s knock, remaining unbeaten on 33 from 45 balls, laced with four boundaries. She shared a 46‑run stand with Kabita Kunwar for the fifth wicket. 

Kunwar cracked four fours in her 24 off 26 before falling lbw in the 15th over. Roma Thapa followed next ball, also lbw, leaving Nepal reeling at 69 for six. Rubina Chhetry chipped in with 11 off 12.

For Rwanda, Henriette Ishimwe claimed three wickets, while Bimenyimana picked up two.