Thailand won the T20I tri-series in Kathmandu, defeating Nepal and the Netherlands. Nepal struggled throughout the tournament, finishing winless despite individual performances. Captain Indu Barma emphasized the valuable experience gained from facing higher-ranked teams. Thailand’s Nannapat Koncharoenkai emerged as the leading run-scorer, while Thailand’s bowlers effectively restricted Nepal’s scoring in the final match.
Thailand has emerged victorious in the T20I tri-series held in Kathmandu, defeating both Nepal and the Netherlands. The final match took place at the TU International Cricket Ground, concluding a round-robin format that spanned from January 30 to February 7. Despite their loss to the Netherlands, Thailand secured the title as they were the highest-ranked team against the host nation Nepal, who has struggled throughout the tournament.
Nepal’s performance fluctuated throughout the tri-series, achieving relatively better scores against the Netherlands yet faltering against Thailand. Their highest score at the TU ground was not enough to maintain consistency, leading them to post the lowest total in the final game—81 runs at the end of their innings. Team captain Indu Barma expressed a desire to bat first to capitalize on a favorable batting wicket but ultimately faced a disappointing outcome.
In the final match, Nepal had a decent start but struggled to score effectively. The top scorers for Nepal, including Samjhana Khadka, Indu Barma, and Kabita Joshi, failed to advance the total significantly. Meanwhile, Thailand’s bowlers, especially Onnicha Kamchomphu who had three wickets, effectively restricted Nepal’s scoring ability during crucial overs while pursuing a low target against a faltering host batting lineup.
Thailand’s successful chase featured contributions from opener Nattaya Boochatham and Nannapat Koncharoenkai, who helped the team achieve the target in just 17 overs. Nannapat finished as the leading run-scorer in the tournament, highlighting her strong performance across the series. In contrast, despite their losses, Nepal’s players received valuable experience playing against two higher-ranked teams within the framework of the tournament.
The Nepal Cricket Association acknowledged the experience gained by the women’s team through this tri-series. Former Nepali captain Paras Khadka emphasized the opportunity for growth that these matches provided. Captain Barma echoed these sentiments, applauding the exposure and learning opportunities presented by competing against established ODI teams, even in defeat. This tri-series was viewed positively despite the winless outcome for the host nation, focusing on player development and competitive exposure.
The T20I tri-series in Kathmandu included teams from Thailand, Nepal, and the Netherlands, providing a platform for competitive women’s cricket. This series not only served as an opportunity for the teams to gain international experience and sharpen their skills but also promoted the development of women’s cricket within Nepal. It was particularly crucial for Nepal as they faced teams with higher rankings, offering valuable learning opportunities despite their poor performance in terms of wins.
Overall, Thailand’s triumph in the T20I tri-series showcases their status as a strong T20I team, while Nepal, despite failing to win any matches, gained crucial experience playing against higher-ranked ODI teams. This competition served as a developmental platform for the Nepali women’s team, highlighting the importance of learning from more experienced opponents. The insights gained could significantly contribute to the future of women’s cricket in Nepal.
Original Source: risingnepaldaily.com
