Women’s Asia Cup 2024: Nepal’s journey in the Women’s T20 Asia Cup has been challenging. They previously participated in the 2012 and 2016 editions, playing a total of eight matches without a win. Despite their struggles, the team never gave up, narrowly missing out on qualifying for the 2018 and 2022 tournaments. Their perseverance paid off when a rule change in March 2024 granted them entry into the 2024 edition, allowing them to capitalize on this opportunity and create a stunning upset.
Let’s have a look into more details: Women’s Asia Cup 2024
Nepal’s journey in the Women’s T20 Asia Cup has been challenging. They previously participated in the 2012 and 2016 editions, playing a total of eight matches without a win. Despite their struggles, the team never gave up, narrowly missing out on qualifying for the 2018 and 2022 tournaments. Their perseverance paid off when a rule change in March 2024 granted them entry into the 2024 edition, allowing them to capitalize on this opportunity and create a stunning upset.
Nepal vs UAE
In their opening game of the Women’s Asia Cup 2024, Nepal faced the United Arab Emirates (UAE) at the Rangiri Dambulla International Stadium in Dambulla. Nepal opted to field first, and their disciplined bowling attack, led by Indu Barma, restricted UAE to a modest total of 115 for 8 wickets in 20 overs.
Indu Barma’s Bowling Brilliance
Indu Barma was the star with the ball, delivering a standout performance. Her 4 over spell yielded three crucial wickets for just 19 runs. This effective dismantling of the UAE batting lineup ensured they could not gain significant momentum, with key wickets falling regularly. Esha Oza and Theertha Satish, UAE’s openers, were dismissed early, which set the tone for the rest of the innings.
Samjhana Khadka’s Match Winning Knock
Chasing a target of 116, Nepal’s opener Samjhana Khadka played an extraordinary innings. She smashed an unbeaten 72 runs off just 45 balls, featuring 11 boundaries. Despite losing Sita Rana Magar early for 7 runs, Khadka’s commanding performance kept Nepal on track throughout the chase. Supported by crucial contributions from Rubina Chhetry and Puja Mahato, Nepal reached the target comfortably, finishing at 118/4 in 16.1 overs.
The historic win has sparked excitement and pride among cricket fans in Nepal. The victory not only marks a significant achievement for the women’s team but also serves as an inspiration for future generations of cricketers in the country.
Post Match Reactions
Nepal’s captain, Indu Barma, expressed her elation at the post match presentation:
“It’s a great win, and we are very happy. Thanks to CAN and our fans. It was our coach and captain’s decision to make Samjhana open, and it paid off. We believed she could do well opening the batting. I am very happy with my team. They kept believing, and I am very, very happy.”
UAE skipper Esha Oza acknowledged the shortcomings in her team’s performance:
“It was a pretty decent wicket, and we didn’t post a par total. Everybody got a good start, but we couldn’t convert, and losing three wickets in the powerplay isn’t an ideal start. At times we were bowling too short. There were too many bad balls.”
With this landmark win, Nepal’s women’s cricket team has set a new standard for themselves. They are set to face Pakistan next on July 21, and the team will be looking to build on their success and continue their winning momentum in the tournament.
Read more : Asia Cup 2024: India vs Pakistan Women’s Match – When and Where to Watch it Live?
FAQ
What is the next match for Nepal in the Women’s T20 Asia Cup 2024?
Nepal will play against Pakistan on July 21
