In the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup Asia Qualifiers on Tuesday, Nepal suffered a 7-wicket defeat to Hong Kong. This was Nepal’s first loss in Group C, while it marked Hong Kong’s first win of the tournament.
Shortened Match Due to Wet Outfield
Due to a wet outfield, the game was reduced to 5 overs per side. Nepal set a target of just 30 runs, which Hong Kong chased down in 4.3 overs, losing 3 wickets.
Hong Kong’s opener, Shan Jin Shahzad, remained unbeaten with 15 runs off 12 balls, including one six. Mariko Hill supported her with an 11-run knock off 11 balls.
Nepal’s Struggle with the Bat
Earlier, Nepal lost the toss and were put to bat. They struggled, managing only 29 runs while losing 3 wickets in the process. Opener, Samjhana Khadka, top-scored with 10 runs off 7 balls, including a boundary. However, no other player reached double digits. Captain Indu Barma remained unbeaten on 9 runs from 10 balls.
Hong Kong’s Alison Siu was the star with the ball, taking 3 wickets for 11 runs in 2 overs.
Impact on Nepal’s Super Three Ambitions
With this defeat, Nepal’s hopes of topping the group and advancing to the Super Three stage have taken a blow. After three matches, Hong Kong has 4 points, leading Group C, while Nepal is in second place with 3 points.
Nepal now faces Bahrain in their next match, which is crucial for their chances of advancing. For Nepal to top the group, they need to beat Bahrain, while the result of the match between Hong Kong and Bahrain must also go in their favor.
Women’s T20 World Cup Qualifier: Upcoming Matches
- Nepal will play Bahrain on Thursday.
- Hong Kong will face Bahrain on Friday.
Tournament Structure
Nine teams are competing in the qualifiers, divided into three groups. Each group plays a double round-robin format. The top team from each group will advance to the Super Three stage, where the top two teams will earn a spot in the Global Qualifier.
