Nepali girls have done the nation proud defeating neighbor China Tuesday to enter the final of the ACC Women’s Cricket Tournament at Johar Bahru, Malaysia.
Playing in their first ever international event, the national team bowled out China for a mere 40 runs in 28.5 overs and scored the required 41 runs in 14.1 overs to complete an easy nine wicket victory. Nepal will now face Bangladesh in Wednesday’s final.
China elected to bat after winning the toss but the Nepali bowlers bowled brilliantly to dry up the runs. When China lost its second wicket in the 11th over, it had only nine runs on board – thanks to Ritu Kanaujiya and Sita Rana who didn’t give any space to free their arms.
Sun Yeng Yao was the only Chinese batswoman to play some shots. She hit a boundary for her 18 runs but no other batswoman could the score of four. Keshari Chaudhary, the record breaking high jumper, led the bowling attack with three wickets while captain Nary Thapa got a wicket to continue as the tournament’s leading wicket taker with 11 wickets so far.
Nira Rajopadhyay, Sita, Ritu and Neetu Thapa each notched a wicket to end China’s innings at a paltry score of 40 runs. “We bowled and fielded well,†coach Jung Bahadur Thapa commented.
Nepali openers gave another good start adding 15 runs in six overs before Manisha Rawal was out with a score of one run. Ritu scored nine runs off 54 balls while Madhu Thapa continued here good batting performance with 10 off 23 balls to take Nepal home in 14.1 overs.
Chinese bowling was below par as they gave away 21 extra runs – 15 of which were wides. “We played as a team and we hope to continue the same game in the final too,†an elated captain Nary said.
“If we bowl as well as we did against Hong Kong, we can defeat Bangladesh in the final,†coach Thapa said.
Brief Scorecard: China 41 in 28.5 overs (Sun Heng Yao 18, Keshari Chaudhary 3/5) lost to Nepal 41/1 in 14.1 overs (Madhu Thapa 10*, Ritu Kanaujiya 9*) by 9 wickets.
Photos by Pabitra Raut/Nepal Sports Journalists Forum