Kathmandu, July 17: Nepal has ended its training for the Women’s T20 Asia Cup on a high note after winning the final and third practice match against tournament host Sri Lanka’s Development Squad on Monday. Nepal is playing the first official match of the Asia Cup against the UAE on July 19.

After travelling to Sri Lanka on July 7, the Nepali women’s team started training on July 8. Nepal had two T20s against the Development Squad fixed for July 9 and 10. After a five-day rest/training, the final T20 was played on July 16.

Losing the first T20 by 55 runs and the second by four wickets, Nepal’s squad won the third T20 by two runs. 

In the 3rd T20, Sri Lanka’s Development Squad was given a target of 113 runs by Nepal in the loss of six wickets. Kabita Joshi and Kritika Marasini, with three and two wickets each respectively, helped bundle out the opponent to 110 runs in 19.5 overs and successfully defend the target.

Opening the Women’s T20 Asia Cup against the UAE, Nepal will be looking for the first win in the third appearance in the biggest tournament for the team so far. A win after the two losses has given great hopes for the Nepali team as the squad has assured changes in their gameplans and development in their fitness. 

Nepal will then face the two cricketing powerhouses, India and Pakistan, in the group stage on July 21 and 23 respectively.