By a Staff Reporter
Kathmandu (HamroKhelkud) – Nepal secured their third consecutive victory in the ACC Premier Cup group stage with a stellar performance led by experienced campaigner Rubina Chhetri’s historic century.
Nepal defeated Maldives by a big margin of 214 runs and secured their spot in the quarterfinals as group winners. Nepal had defeated Hong Kong and Bhutan in the first two group matches.
In the chase, Maldives were all out for just 13 runs in 13.5 overs, with Captain Simay Bint contributing eight runs, the most in the innings. Nepal’s Ashmina Karmacharya claimed four wickets, while Pooja Mahato and Rubina Chhetri each took three wickets.
Earlier, Nepal posted a total of 227 runs for the loss of 4 wickets in 20 overs, with Rubina’s century leading the charge. Rubina’s reached her ton in just 54 balls, to become the first female player to score a century for Nepal.
Rubina amassed 118 runs off 59 balls, with 10 fours and 5 sixes, while Pooja Mahato contributed with a half-century with 59 runs off 36 balls.
This total set a new record for Nepal’s women’s team in international cricket, surpassing their previous highest score of 164 runs against Qatar in 2021.
Rubina’s century also stands as the highest individual score for Nepal, going ahead of Sita Rana Magar’s previous record of 82 not out. Her partnership of 163 runs with Pooja also sets a new record as the highest-ever partnership for Nepal.
Nepal clinched the top spot in the group with six points from three matches, thus advancing to the quarterfinals. Hong Kong followed with four points while Bhutan earned two points. Maldives failed to secure any points in the group.
