Kathmandu, February 22

Nepal hammered the United Arab Emirates by seven wickets in the ICC Women’s Qualifier Asia at the Terdthai Cricket Ground in Bangkok today.

With their second win in three matches, Nepal are at the fourth position with four points. Hosts Thailand lead the table with six points, while the UAE and China — who also have six points — are second and third respectively on net run rate.

Malaysia are at the fifth position with two points, while Hong Kong and Kuwait are yet to open their accounts. Nepal will play against Hong Kong on Sunday. The winners of the tournament will earn berth in both Twenty20 and 50-over World Cup Qualifiers.

On Friday, Nepal bowled the UAE out for a paltry 41 runs in 17.3 overs before racing to 45-3 with 58 balls to spare. Nary Thapa was the chief destroyer and returned with the figures of 4-6 in 3.3 overs, while Sita Rana Magar (2-7), Kabita Kunwar (2-7) and Sonu Khadka (2-6) took two wickets each for Nepal.

Chamani Roshini Seneviratna was the lone UAE batter who scored in double figures. She scored 13 off 29 balls hitting a four. Neha Sharma was the second best contributor with six runs.

Chasing a low target, Nepal openers Kajal Shrestha and Sita Rana Magar put 23 runs in six overs before they lost two wickets at the same score. Rana Magar was the first to go for six runs, while Apsari Begam was duck out.

Kajal Shrestha and skipper Rubina Chhetry Belbashi then added 18 runs for the third wicket to tie the scores. But Shrestha was caught by Esha Rohit Oza off Kavisha Egodage in the 10th over and Chhetry Belbashi struck a four to complete the victory in style.

The Nepal team skipper remained unbeaten on 18 off 17 balls that included two fours and a six. Another not out batter, Roma Thapa did not face the ball. Oza took 2-17 for the UAE, while Egodage claimed 1-7. Nary Thapa of Nepal was named the player of the match.