Nov. 7: The Nepali women´s team have started their ICC U-19 T20 World Cup Asian Qualifiers with a win in Dubai after defeating Thailand on Wednesday.

Nepal outclassed Thailand by 67 runs while defending the target of 103 runs. 

Rachana Kumari Chaudhary shone with her ball as Nepal bundled out Thailand for a paltry 35 runs. Rachanna finished with a figure of 4-10 while Puja also contributed with her bowling by picking two wickets. 

Riya Sharma claimed two wickets, while Krishna Gurung and Manisha Kumari Upadhayay dismissed one batter each to restrict Thailand to a low score.

Opener Aphisara Suwanchonrathi was the only double-figure contributor for Thailand with 13 runs from 23 deliveries. The rest of the Thai batters returned to dug out cheaply. 

After being put on to bat first, Nepal scored 102 runs losing six wickets in 20 overs. Skipper Puja Mahato was the most crucial individual with the bat as she scored the highest run: 35 off 40. She was followed by Seemana KC and Sonu Pakhrin, who both scored 19 runs each.

Sana Praveen (5), Sabitri Dhami (7), Jyotsnika Marasini (4) and Alisha Kumari Yadav (7) managed to add a single digit for Nepal.

Charukan Saema, with two wickets, was Thailand’s highest wicket-taker as Nepal lost six wickets in 20 overs while batting first. Sunisa Bongkodphongampai also dismissed one Nepali batter.

Nepal now faces Kuwait and host UAE on November 7 and 9 respectively before facing the three teams once again in the tournament organised in a double round-robin format. 

Nepal will qualify for the 2025 U19 Women´s World Cup in Malaysia if they finish first in the points table among the four teams.