KATHMANDU, NOVEMBER 26

Nepal defeated Malaysia by six wickets to register their third straight victory in the ICC Women's T20 World Cup Asia Region Qualifiers at the ICC Academy grounds in Dubai today.

Nepal restricted Malaysia for 92-7 in 20 overs and overcame the total losing four wickets with 10 balls to spare. Nepal, who had lost against Hong Kong in the first match, are second on six points, two behind unbeaten hosts United Arab Emirates. Hong Kong are third on six.

Malaysia (two), Bhutan (two) and Kuwait (zero) are already out of the race. The table toppers will make it to next year's global qualifiers and Nepal need to beat the UAE in the last match on Sunday with a good net run rate to progress ahead. UAE have a NRR of 2.398, while Nepal have 2.088. Hong Kong, who have a NRR of 0.447, are also mathematically in the race to finish at the top of the table.

Nepal had a chance to better the NRR after they restricted Malaysia for 92 in the day's match but they took 18.2 overs to reach the target. Elsa Hunter top scored for Malaysia with 39 off 48 balls hitting four boundaries, while Mas Elysa (14) and Yusrina Yaakop (12) were the other batters who contributed in double figures.

Sabnam Rai took 2-27 for Nepal, while Kabita Kunwar, Sita Rana Magar and skipper Rubina Chhetry grabbed one wicket each.

In reply, Nepal lost opener Indu Barma (four) with just 16 runs on the board before vice-captain Rana Magar and skipper Chhetry added 48 runs for the second wicket.

They also departed in the space of four runs, while Kabita Kunwar was dismissed at a time when Nepal needed three runs to complete the victory.

Player-of-the-match Rana Magar struck three fours in his 38-ball 30, while Chhetry scored 20 off 29 balls. Kunwar contributed 10. Sarita Magar (15) and Apsari Begam (one) completed the formality. Except for Barma, who was dismissed by Aisya Eleesa, three Nepali batters were run out.

A version of this article appears in the print on November 27, 2021, of The Himalayan Times.