Kathmandu, March 3

Nepali women’s table tennis took a giant leap in world ranking when the team defeated Pakistan 3-1 in the Perfect 2016 World Team Table Tennis Championships in Kula Lumpur, Malaysia today.

This is Nepal’s second win in the championship and the women’s team is assured of at least 68th position in the world ranking following their victory over 76th ranked Pakistan.

Nepal, who entered the tournament as the 86th ranked nation, had defeated 59th ranked Estonia 3-1 on Sunday.

Nepal, who lost 3-0 against Macau in the evening, will play another match on Friday to determine their exact position between 64 to 68.

Nabita Shrestha began the match with a 13-11, 11-3, 11-7 victory over Rahila Kashif before Elina Maharjan lost 9-11, 8-11, 10-12 at the hands of Shabnam Bilal.

Rabina Maharjan then restored Nepal’s lead when she edged past Maliha Khurshid 11-7, 11-4, 9-11, 3-11, 12-10 and Nabita completed the victory with a 11-5, 11-5, 4-11, 9-11, 11-3 win over Shabnam Bilal.

All Nepal Table Tennis Association president Chaturananda Raj vaidya said the team earned stunning results in Malaysia.

“This is a great achievement in women’s table tennis,” said Rajvaidya. “Now we are behind only India in South Asia,” he added.