Nepal falls short against Netherlands
Chasing a target of 158 runs, Nepal managed to score only 137 runs for the loss of seven wickets in the allotted overs.
KATHMANDU: Robin Rijke’s unbeaten half-century powered the Netherlands to victory against Nepal in the opening match of the Tri-Nation Women’s T20I Series on Wednesday.
Batting first at the TU Cricket Ground in Kirtipur, the Netherlands posted a formidable total of 157/4 in 20 overs. Rijke remained unbeaten on 59 off 59 balls, hitting eight fours.
Sterre Kalis contributed 29 off 35 balls, while Heather Siegers added 23 off 19. Iris Welling played a quickfire cameo, smashing 31* off just 13 balls with five boundaries. Nepal conceded 62 runs in the last five overs.
For Nepal, Kabita Kunwar, Pooja Mahato, Sita Rana Magar, and Ishwari Bishwakarma claimed one wicket each.
Chasing 158, Nepal managed 137/7 in their allotted 20 overs. Opener Sita Rana Magar top-scored with 28 runs, while Pooja Mahato struck 24 off 14 balls, hitting two fours and two sixes.
Kabita Joshi added 27 off 17 balls with one four and two sixes, while captain Rubina Chhetry contributed 11 off 11 balls.
This is Nepal’s second time hosting a T20I series, having previously played a five-match series against Uganda in May 2022.
The tri-nation series features Nepal, the Netherlands, and Thailand. In the ICC Women’s T20I rankings, Thailand is ranked 13th, the Netherlands 16th, and Nepal 20th. Each team will play three matches against the others, with the top team on the points table emerging as the winner.
The Netherlands will face Thailand in their second match on Friday, while Nepal will take on Thailand on Saturday.
