Nepal Women’s Cricket Team Fails to Qualify for Asian Games
News Summary
Reviewed.
- The Nepal women’s cricket team failed to qualify for the Asian Games after a 5-wicket loss to China.
- The rain-shortened match was reduced to 7 overs; China successfully chased Nepal’s target, winning on the final ball in a thrilling finish.
- China, having defeated Nepal, and Thailand, who won the other semifinal, have secured qualification for the Asian Games.
May 29, Kathmandu – The Nepal women’s cricket team has failed to qualify for the Asian Games.
Following their defeat to China in the third-place playoff match on Sunday, Nepal was unable to secure qualification. Due to rain, the game was shortened to 7 overs, with China defeating Nepal by 5 wickets.
China successfully chased a revised target of 43 runs within 7 overs, clinching victory with a boundary on the final ball while requiring 2 runs at that point. Although China got off to a strong start, Nepal mounted a spirited comeback during the middle overs.
China scored 16 runs in the first over and added 7 more in the second to reach 23 without loss. However, Riya Sharma’s two wickets in the third over helped Nepal wrest momentum back. An additional run-out dismissal further aided Nepal’s fightback.
In the fourth over, Kavita Kunwar conceded just 3 runs and took a wicket. The fifth over, bowled by Riya Sharma, yielded only 3 runs. Manisha Upadhyay gave away 6 runs in the sixth. China required 7 runs in the final over.
Sita kept the first ball dot, conceded 1 run on the second, and allowed singles on the third and fourth deliveries. After a wide and stump out on the fifth ball, China needed 3 runs from 2 balls. They hit a boundary off the last ball to seal the thrilling victory.
Batting first after losing the toss, Nepal scored 50 runs for the loss of 5 wickets in their 7 overs. Kavita Kunwar remained unbeaten on 22 runs, while captain Indu Burma contributed 11.
Earlier on Saturday, Nepal was defeated by Malaysia in the semifinals. Thailand defeated China in the other semifinal to secure qualification for the Asian Games.
China, having beaten Nepal, also qualified for the Asian Games.