Player of the match Indu Barma became the first Nepali women cricketer to score a Twenty20 half century for the national side. Photo Courtesy: CAN
Nepali national women’s cricket team made a flying start in the first of three Twenty20 International Series against Qatar pulling a record 119 -run victory at the West End Park International Cricket Stadium in Doha on Tuesday.
Put into bat first, Indu Barma hit the first-ever T20I half century for the national team as Nepal posted 146-4. In bowling, captain Rubina Chhetry grabbed three wickets to restrict the hosts Qatar for 27 runs in 11.5 overs.
The 25-year-old Barma's first ever half century for the country coupled with the biggest ever total as well as biggest victory by run for Nepal. Coincidentally, it was the first bilateral series played by the women's national cricket team.
Barma, who retired hurt in the last ball of the 17th over, smashed 55 off 47 that included four fences. The player-of-the-match Barma reached her 50 facing 45 deliveries. She shared 88-run partnership for the second wicket with Sita Rana Magar.
Rana Magar previously held the record of highest 48 runs for Nepal in women's T20I against Indonesia in 2019 in Thailand Women's T20 Smash. Similarly, Nepal's biggest victory by runs — 92 runs— was also against Indonesia. Nepal's previous highest total score was 126 runs against Malaysia in the same tournament in Thailand.
After opener Kajal Shrestha departed for three runs, her opening partner Rana Magar and Barma steadied the innings. Rana Magar played a remarkable innings of 39 runs facing 33 deliveries. She smashed five boundaries before being stumped by wicketkeeper Rizpha Bano Emmanuel off Sabeeja Panayan in the 12th over.
Captain Rubina Chhetry was run out for a duck. Sarita Magar contributed ball-a-run 21 before being run out. She hit two fences. Kabita Kunwar remained unbeaten on eight runs.
Qatar bowler Angeline Mare and Sabeeja Panayan pocketed one wicket each.
In the run chase, Qatar never settled in the crease and lost wickets in regular intervals. They lost two wickets in the first over to Kabita Kunwar. Captain Chhetri claimed three wickets in her five deliveries in the 12th over. Chhetri gave away just one run in her 11-ball hurl.
Kunwar, who picked two wickets in the first over, gave away six runs in her three-over bowling. Rana Magar also grabbed two wickets in her two over bowling. She conceded three runs with a maiden over.
The remaining two matches of the bilateral series are scheduled to be played on Wednesday and Thursday.
Nepal are in Qatar to prepare the team for ICC Women's T20 World Cup Asia Qualifiers set to take place from November 22 to 28 in the United Arab Emirates (UAE). They will leave for the UAE on November 19. The Qualifiers feature six teams including hosts UAE, Hong Kong, Kuwait, Malaysia, Bhutan and Nepal. The team finishing on top of the standings after round robin league will qualify for the final phase of qualifiers next year.
