Kathmandu, December 14:

Nepal defeated Bhutan by nine wickets for their second consecutive victory in the ACC U-19 Women’s Championship at the Gym Khana cricket ground in Chiang Mai, Thailand.

Put into bat first after Nepal skipper Nary Thapa won the toss, Bhutan made 34-9 in their allotted 25 overs. Anju Gurung and Sangay Choki, both of whom remained not out, top-scored with eight runs each for Bhutan. Sonu Khadka, who was later declared the player of the match, was the pick of the Nepali bowlers with 2-3 from five overs. Rekha Rawal, Keshari Chaudhary, Nary and Binu Magar also took one wicket each. The Nepali ladies also effected two run outs to compound the Bhutanese misery.

In reply, Nepal overcame the 35-run target losing just one wicket in 9.3 overs. Opener Maya Rawat made unbeaten 20 off 25 balls with one four while Trishna Singh remained not out on two. Roshani Bohara (two) was the only Nepali wicket to fall, trapped leg before wicket by Anju Gurung.

Nepali coach Jamil Ansari expressed happiness with the comfortable victory and hoped the team would keep up the spirit through out the championship. Ansari boosted his team’s better bowling and fielding than the rest of the other opponent in the group. Ansari was, however, worried with his team’s batting. “ We are yet to be tested in batting and hope our girls will get that opportunity in the matches to come,” he said.

Bhutan coach DS Gurung praised Nepal’s performance especially bowling. He even went further to claim that Nepal was the strongest opponent in their group. “Everyone takes Nepal as a tough opponent,” said Gurung.

Nepal will play their next match against Singapore at Prem Centre on Tuesday.