Nepal edge Malaysia by 2-wkts

By A Staff Reporter, Kathmandu, May 21: The Nepali women’s cricket team struggled past Malaysia by two wickets to claim their first win of the T20 International Series in Kuala Lumpur on Wednesday.

Nepal made heavy weather of the chase for a modest 68‑run target, losing eight wickets before reaching 71 in 17.3 overs.

Opener Samjhana Khadka top‑scored with 32 in the victory of Nepal. She struck two boundaries from 39 balls before falling as the eighth wicket in the 16th over.

The start was disastrous, with opener Bindu Rawal and one‑down Puja Mahato dismissed for ducks. Two‑down Rubi Poddar was the only other batter to reach double figures, making 15 off 22 balls with two boundaries before being trapped lbw in the ninth over. At 40/3, Nepal then lost captain Indu Barma (1), Rubina Chhetry (1) and Kabita Kunwar (3) for just eight runs.

Khadka found little support, as veteran Sita Rana Magar (5) also departed quickly. After Khadka was caught in the 16th over with the score at 61/8, Kabita Joshi (6) and Riya Sharma (4) held their nerve to see Nepal home.

For Malaysia, Nur Qalysha claimed three wickets, while Aisya Eleesa and Elsa Hunter took two apiece, and Nur Daniya added one.

Earlier, hosts Malaysia elected to bat first at Bayuemas Oval but were bundled out for 67 in 16.5 overs. Apart from Hunter, who made 10 off 14 balls with two boundaries, no batter reached double figures. Extras contributed 15 runs, more than the top scorer managed.

Vice‑captain Mahato excelled with the ball, taking three wickets. Manisha Upadhayay and Riya Sharma claimed two each, while Kunwar and Magar picked up one apiece.

With this win, Nepal lead the two‑match T20 series 1‑0. The team, currently in Malaysia for the Asian Games Qualifiers and the ACC Premier 

Cup, will play the second T20I on Friday.