The Nepali women’s team lost to Namibia in their first match of the Women’s Day T20 International Series. Nepal scored 92 runs and Namibia chased a revised target of 71 due to rain interruptions. Key players included Nepal’s Samjhana Khadka and Namibia’s Mekelaye Mwatile. The double round-robin series includes Uganda, Nepal, Namibia, and Hong Kong, with Nepal set to face Uganda next.
The Nepali women’s cricket team faced a challenging debut in the Women’s Day T20 International Series in Uganda, suffering a six-wicket loss to Namibia through the Duckworth-Lewis method. After winning the toss, Nepal opted to bat first but was restricted to just 92 runs across 20 overs. Due to rain, Namibia received a revised target of 71 runs in 15 overs, successfully achieving this target at 39 for 1 after 8 overs, finishing at 75 runs with four wickets down after 14.5 overs.
Mekelaye Mwatile was Namibia’s standout batsman, scoring 26 runs with three boundaries. Arrasta Diergaardt kept their innings steady with an unbeaten 13 runs off seven balls. For Nepal, Puja Mahato, Kabita Joshi, Indu Barma, and Ishwori Bist each contributed with one wicket.
Samjhana Khadka was Nepal’s top scorer, bringing in 18 runs from 11 balls. Other notable contributions included Kabita Joshi’s 16 off 31 balls, and Puja Mahato’s 13 off 20 balls. Ishwori Bist ended her innings not out with 17 runs off 14 balls, including two boundaries. Namibia’s bowlers, particularly Wilk Mwatile and Mekelaye Mwatile, excelled by taking six wickets combined, with Wilk capturing three for 17 runs and Mekelaye three for just 12 runs.
This match was significant as it marked the first head-to-head contest between Nepal and Namibia’s women’s cricket teams, and for Nepal, their inaugural match outside Asia. The ongoing T20 series features a double round-robin format with four teams: Uganda, Nepal, Namibia, and Hong Kong, where the leading teams will proceed to the finals.
In another matchup, host Uganda triumphed over Hong Kong, bowling them out for 75 runs and successfully chasing it down with 78 runs for the loss of two wickets within 17.2 overs. Nepal’s next challenge is against host Uganda on March 9 (Sunday).
Nepal’s women’s cricket team had a rocky start at the Women’s Day T20 International Series, facing Namibia and losing by six wickets. Despite a low batting score and challenged by rain, the Nepali team showcased individual performances, particularly from Samjhana Khadka and their bowlers. With upcoming matches against Uganda, there is an opportunity to improve their position in the ongoing series structured in a double round-robin format.
Original Source: risingnepaldaily.com
