*Kathmandu, August 23, 2023*
Nepal’s women’s cricket team continued their winning momentum as they clinched their second consecutive victory in the four-nation Women’s Twenty20 cricket tournament being held in Malaysia. In an encounter on Wednesday, Nepal emerged victorious by a margin of 34 runs against Kuwait. This achievement follows their triumphant 6-wicket win against Hong Kong in the tournament opener on Tuesday.
Opting to bat first, Nepal posted a total of 89 runs for the loss of eight wickets within the allotted overs. Kuwait, chasing the target, could only muster 55 runs while losing eight wickets, confirming Nepal’s win. At the heart of Nepal’s victory was the exceptional performance by Indu Barma, who showcased her prowess both in batting and bowling.
Barma proved to be a game-changer with a standout batting display, contributing the highest score of 23 runs off just 19 balls, including two well-timed fours. Her efforts were complemented by a stellar bowling performance, where she secured three crucial wickets for just 10 runs in four overs, dismantling the Kuwaiti batting lineup.
However, Nepal’s batting line-up faced early challenges. With the score at under 50 runs, Nepal had already lost five wickets, causing concerns for the team. Only three players managed to reach double-digit scores, and two players were dismissed without adding runs to the board.
Indu Barma was the player of the match for her 23 runs in just 19 balls and also taking three crucial wickets.
The opening partnership struggled, with Pooja Mahato departing for zero runs. Bindu Rawal, who contributed 20 runs from 45 deliveries struggled throughout her innings failing to time the ball properly. Kajal Shrestha’s unbeaten 19 runs off 18 balls added crucial runs to Nepal’s total.
Despite a shaky start, the collective efforts of the Nepali team led them to a commendable score of 89 runs. Kuwait’s Maryam Haider proved to be a formidable opponent, securing four wickets, while Maryam Omar took two wickets.
Nepal Women troubles with bat was clearly visible on the match as they completely failed to accelerate throught the innings. Nepal should address this issue ahead of the World Cup Qualifiers.
Nepal’s bowlers, spearheaded by Indu Burma, effectively restricted Kuwait’s scoring opportunities. Her three-wicket haul was pivotal in dismissing Kuwait’s batswomen cheaply. Khusi Dangol, in her debut game, also shone with two wickets, showcasing her potential in the bowling department.
After this series, Nepal engage in a practice match against Thailand, an essential preparation ahead of the ICC Women’s Twenty20 World Cup’s Asian regional qualifying tournament, scheduled from August 31 to September 9.
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