Kathmandu, Nov 13: The Nepal U-19 women’s cricket team has qualified for the 2025 ICC Women’s U-19 T20 World Cup, which will be held in Malaysia.
Nepal secured their qualification by defeating the UAE by 8 wickets in the final match of the ICC Women’s U-19 T20 World Cup Asia Qualifier, held in the United Arab Emirates (UAE).
In the match at the Seven Stadium in Ajman, UAE, the home team won the toss and chose to bat first, setting a target of modest 84 runs. In reply, Nepal chased down the target in 14.4 overs, losing only 2 wickets.
For Nepal, Sanaa Praveen was the top scorer, making 35 runs. Captain Puja Mahato contributed 21 runs off 18 balls, hitting 4 fours. Additionally, Sony Pakhrin scored 13 runs, while Sabitri Dhami contributed 12 runs. Nepal also received 5 extra runs.
For UAE, Mehak Thakur took 2 wickets. Earlier, the UAE team had posted 83 runs, losing 9 wickets in their allotted 20 overs.
Samaira Dharnidharka was the top scorer for UAE, making 31 runs off 48 balls, hitting 1 boundary. Rinitha Rajith also contributed with 20 runs from 18 balls, including 2 fours. Lavanya Keni and Indhuja Nandakumar both scored 10 runs each, while Ayushi Mahesh made 3 runs and Avani Sunil Patil added 1 run. The remaining UAE players did not score any runs.
For Nepal, Krishma Gurung was the standout bowler, taking 4 wickets. Riya Sharma and Seemana KC both claimed 2 wickets each, while Rachana Kumari Chaudhary took 1 wicket.
In the Asia Qualifier, which began on Nepali month of Kartik 21, Nepal had won 4 out of their 5 matches, with one loss.
In the opening match, Nepal defeated Thailand by 67 runs. In the second game, Nepal beat Kuwait by 108 runs. In the third match, Nepal lost to the UAE by 13 runs. On Sunday, Nepal thrashed Thailand by 106 runs in the fourth game, and on Tuesday, they defeated Kuwait by 165 runs in the fifth match.
With this victory, Nepal has now qualified for the ICC Women’s U-19 T20 World Cup 2025. #nepal #cricket #ACC
