Kathmandu, November 24

Nepal defeated Malaysia by 33 runs to record first victory in the ICC Women’s World Twenty20 Qualifiers for Asia Region at the Asian Institute of Technology Ground in Bangkok today.

Put into bat first, Nepal scored a fighting total of 108-6 in their allotted 20 overs before restricting Malaysia to 75-5.

This is first victory for Nepal in four matches. Nepal had lost to the United Arab Emirates by five runs after sharing points with Thailand and Hong Kong due

to rain.

With the victory and a match in hands, Nepal accumulated four points to keep their hopes alive for the top two finish in the six-team competition being played under round robin format.

The top two teams will advance to the final and also earn place in the ICC Women’s World Twenty20 Qualifier to be hosted by the Netherlands next year.

Currently, Thailand (seven points), the United Arab Emirates (six) and Hong Kong (five) hold the top three positions after four matches, while Malaysia (two) and China, who are yet to get points, are out of race.

Nepal will now face China, while the UAE will take on Malaysia and Thailand will play against Hong Kong in last round matches on November 26. The matches will decide the top two teams.

In the day’s match, Nepal made brilliant start with the bat after openers Sita Rana Magar and Jyoti Pandey put in 66 runs before the former was run out by Mas Elysa in the second ball of the 13th over.

Magar top scored for Nepal with 37 runs off 42 balls hitting three boundaries, while Pandey scored 21 off 39 balls. Kajal Shrestha (14) also scored in double figures to guide Nepal to fighting total.

Malaysia’s Jannadiah Halim (2-28) and Nur Ariaana Natsya (2-15) shared four wickets between them.

In reply, Nepali bowlers’ discipline attack put pressure on Malaysian batters throughout the innings.

Sita Rana Magar gave Nepal a breakthrough in the first ball of the seventh over after bowling Christina Baret (six) out with only 14 runs on the board, while Karuna Bhandari bowled skipper Winifred Duraisingam (11) in the 12th over as Malaysia could add 33 runs on the board.

After that, Malaysia lost wickets at regular intervals. Emylia Eliani top scored with 24 off 40 balls hitting three boundaries, while Zayani Syamimi scored an unbeaten run-a-ball 16 but Malaysia were never in contention.

Karuna Bhandari claimed 3-16, while player-of-the-match Sita Rana Magar, Sonu Khadka, Nary Thapa and Ritu Kanoujiya took one wicket each.

In day’s other matches, Thailand defeated China by eight wickets and the UAE also recorded an eight-wicket victory over Hong Kong.