Kathmandu, December 20:

Nepal ended their league round on a high note with a comprehensive 66-run mauling over China in the ACC U-19 Women’s Championship at Prem Centre in Chiang Mai, Thailand today.

Already qualified for the semi-finals, Nepal not only kept their 100 per cent winning record intact but also rung a warning bell to their next opponent by yet another resounding victory.

Nepal, who topped the Group ‘B’ with a maximum of 10 from five matches, will meet Group ‘A’ runners up Thailand in the semi-final. Hong Kong topped Group ‘A’ while Malaysia finished second behind Nepal in Group ‘A’ with eight points.

Put into bat first by China’s skipper Yu Miao, Nepal scored a massive 128-2 in their allotted 25 overs with player of the match Maya Rawat making 42 runs before being run out. China could only muster 62-7 in reply.

Rawat and her opening partner Sabina Karki put on 76 runs on the board to lay the foundation for a big total. Rawat struck three fours in her 64-ball innings while Karki made 17 off 47 balls.

Li Xiaotong bowled Karki in the 17.5 over and Rawat was run out three balls later. Binu Magar remained unbeaten with a freeflowing 17 off 16 balls and skipper Nary Thapa made 18 not out from 25 deliveries that included one hit to the fence.

In reply, China never looked like chasing the mammoth target, thanks to the tight Nepali bowling attack. The Chinese players found stroke making extremely difficult and were eventually restricted to 62 runs in 25 overs.

Skipper Yu Miao top-scored with 16 from 22 balls while half the China’s

total (30) came through sundries. Binu Magar was the pick of the Nepali bowlers with 2-16 from four overs. Sita Magar, Rekha Rawal, Sonu Khadka, Keshari Chaudhari and Nary Thapa also took one wicket apiece.

Nepal will play Thailand in the semi-final at Gym Khana cricket grounds on Monday. The other semi-final match is between Hong Kong and Malaysia at the Prem Centre the same day. The final is slated for Tuesday.