Nepal suffers second straight loss, Netherlands reaches Super Six
Chasing a target of 141 set by the Netherlands at Tribhuvan International Cricket Ground on Thursday, Nepal managed 138 runs for the loss of 7 wickets in their allotted 20 overs.
KATHMANDU: In a thrilling Group ‘B’ clash of the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup Global Qualifiers, the Netherlands edged past host Nepal by just 2 runs to secure a spot in the Super Six stage.
Chasing a target of 141 set by the Netherlands at Tribhuvan International Cricket Ground on Thursday, Nepal managed 138 runs for the loss of 7 wickets in their allotted 20 overs.
With 13 runs needed in the final over, Nepal could only add 10, falling agonizingly short.
Earlier, after winning the toss, the Netherlands posted 140/5 in 20 overs.
Captain Babette de Leede top-scored with 49 runs off 47 balls, including 7 fours, forming a crucial 79-run partnership for the third wicket with Steer Calis, who contributed 30 runs.
Robin Rijke and Iris Willink remained unbeaten on 19 and 14, respectively.
For Nepal, Rubina Chhetri was the most successful bowler, picking up 2 wickets, while Suman Bista, Puja Mahato, and Riya Sharma took 1 wicket each.
During Nepal’s chase, Rubina Chhetri led the scoring with 37 runs off 32 balls, including 5 fours.
Sita Rana Magar supported with an unbeaten 27 runs off 12 balls, hitting 4 fours and a six. The duo added an unbeaten 45-run partnership for the eighth wicket but could not take Nepal over the line.
Nepal struggled from the start as openers Bindu Rawal (18) and Samjhana Khadka (14) were dismissed cheaply, leaving the team under pressure.
By the end of the powerplay, Nepal had lost 2 wickets for 45 runs, and the middle order failed to stabilize the innings.
Puja Mahato scored 8, captain Indu Barma 6, Kajal Shrestha 4, Kavita Joshi 13, and Kavita Kunwar 1.
The Netherlands’ Isavel van Woning took 3 wickets, while Silver Siegers, Robin Rijke, and Caroline de Lange claimed one wicket each.
This defeat marks Nepal’s second consecutive loss in the tournament, having earlier fallen to Thailand by 8 wickets.
The Netherlands, meanwhile, remained unbeaten after victories over Zimbabwe and Scotland, advancing confidently to the Super Six stage.
