Thailand defeated Nepal by 4 wickets in the ongoing Triangular Women’s T20 Series at the Tribhuvan University Cricket Ground, Kirtipur, on Saturday. Chasing a target of 102, Thailand achieved it with six balls to spare, thanks to a brilliant unbeaten 60-run knock from Nannapat Koncharoenkai.
Koncharoenkai’s knock came off 58 balls, including 5 fours, and followed her 56 not-out performance against the Netherlands. This helped Thailand secure their second consecutive win, after their 8-wicket victory over the Netherlands on Friday.
In addition to Koncharoenkai’s performance, Suwanan Khiaoto contributed 14 runs, and captain Naruemol Chaiwai added 13 runs. Nepal’s standout bowler was Manisha Upadhyay, who took 2 wickets for just 13 runs in 4 overs during her international bowling debut. Kabita Kunwar, Rubina Chhetri, and Kabita Joshi each took 1 wicket.
Nepal, after winning the toss and opting to bat, could only manage a total of 101 runs, losing 9 wickets in their 20 overs. Openers Samjhana Khadka and Mamata Chaudhary were dismissed early, while Indu Barma (15 from 17 balls), Puja Mahato (6 from 8), and Rubina Chhetri (4) failed to make an impact.
The highest run-scorers for Nepal were Kabita Kunwar and Bindu Rawal, both scoring 25 runs. Kunwar faced 32 balls and hit 2 fours, while Rawal played 25 balls and struck 3 fours.
Thailand’s Thipatcha Putthawong was the standout bowler, taking 3 wickets for 17 runs, including 1 maiden over. Phannita Maya and Nattaya Boochatham each claimed 2 wickets.
This loss marks Nepal’s second consecutive defeat, following their earlier loss to the Netherlands by 20 runs. Nepal’s next match is against the Netherlands on Sunday.
Since Nepal gained T20 International status in 2019, they have yet to defeat Thailand, having lost all three encounters with them. Thailand, a team with experience in T20 World Cups, is playing in Nepal for the first time in this series.