KATHMANDU, NOVEMBER 28
Nepal faced a 48-run defeat at the hands of the United Arab Emirates that dashed Nepal's dreams of advancing to the global qualifiers of the ICC T20 World Cup.
Nepal needed to beat the UAE by at least 10 runs or before 18.2 overs in the last match of the ICC T20 World Cup Asian Region Qualifier at the ICC Academy grounds in Dubai. But the UAE posted 127-5 in their allotted 20 overs, while Nepal were packed for 79 runs with two balls to spare.
UAE remained unbeaten and accumulated 10 points from five matches to top the table and earn the spot in next year's global qualifiers. Hong finished second with eight points, while Nepal were third with six. Nepal's win would have forced the count of net run rate but the UAE never looked in trouble.
Chamani Seneviratna scored a brilliant half century hitting seven fours in her 36-ball 52, while opener Theertha Satish scored 47 off 46 balls that included three boundaries.
Kavisha Egodage contributed 27-ball 22. After Esha Oza (four) was dismissed with just four runs on the board, Satish and Egodage added 58 runs for the second wicket, while opener Satish and Seneviratna shared a 49-run partnership for the third wicket.
Kabita Kunwar took two wickets for Nepal, while Sabnam Rai, Sita Rana Magar and Sangita Rai bagged one wicket each.
In reply, only openers Indu Bar-
ma and Sita Rana Magar could score in double figures for Nepal.
Barma top scored with 15 off 20 balls, while vice-captain Rana Magar struck three fours in her eight-ball 13. Sarita Magar and Kajal Shrestha were the next contributors with eight runs each.
Samaira Dharnidharka was the pick of the UAE bowlers taking 4-5 from four overs, while Khushi Sharma and player-of-the-match Chamani Seneviratna grabbed two wickets each. Chaya Mughal bagged one wicket for the hosts.
A version of this article appears in the print on November 29, 2021, of The Himalayan Times.
