Nepal miss out on Asia Cup

By A Staff Reporter,Kathmandu, June 11: Nepal’s hope of qualifying for the Women’s Asia Cup were dashed on Wednesday following a comprehensive 56-run defeat to Thailand in the quarter-finals of the ACC Women’s Premier Cup in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.

With only the semi-finalists guaranteed a berth in the Asia Cup, the defeat condemns the national team to missing out on the continental showpiece for the second successive edition. 

Nepal also missed out on Asian Games in May after losing their third-place play-off to China in the qualifiers.

Chasing a target of 131 at the Bayuemas Oval on Wednesday, the Nepali batting line-up col-lapsed under pressure, finishing on a disappointing 74-7 in their allotted 20 overs.

The chase began disastrously as Nepal slumped to 39-6 by the 12th over. Opener Rubi Poddar fell for a duck, while her opening partner Samjhana Khadka managed just 12. 

The middle order offered little resistance, with Puja Mahato (2), Sony Pakhrin (15), Kabita Kunwar (1), and captain Indu Barma (7) all departing cheaply.

With wickets falling at regular intervals, Nepal failed to build the substantial partnerships re-quired to anchor the chase. 

Kabita Joshi was dismissed for 4 to leave the side reeling, before veterans Sita Rana Magar and Rubina Chhetri staged a belated recovery. The pair added an unbeaten 30 runs for the eighth wicket, with Chhetri top-scoring with 20 not out and Magar contributing 12 not out.

Thailand’s disciplined bowling attack shared the accolades, with Thipatcha Putthawong, Sunida Chaturongrattana, and Suleeporn Laomi claiming two wickets apiece.

Earlier, after winning the toss and opting to bat, Thailand recovered from an early setback to post a competitive 130-4. 

Opener Natthakan Chantham was dismissed by Kunwar for just 1 with the scoreboard at 10, but Phannita Maya and Nannapat Koncharoenkai stabilised the innings with a 37-run partnership. 

Maya was caught by Riya Sharma off the bowling of Chhetri for 26, and skipper Naruemol Chaiwai was later run out for 8. Koncharoenkai then found an able ally in Chanida Sutthiruang, forging a crucial 42-run stand. 

Sharma eventually broke the partnership, trapping Sutthiruang lbw for 16, but Koncharoenkai anchored the remainder of the innings. She finished unbeaten on a fine 62 off 51 balls, a knock punctuated by six boundaries.

Thailand accelerated effectively in the closing stages, plundering 13 runs from the final over to finish on 130. Nepali bowling was dismal too with Kunwar, Chhetri, and Sharma taking one wicket each.