By a Staff Reporter
Kathmandu (HamroKhelkud) – A brilliant batting display from Samjhana Khadka has propelled Nepal to their first-ever win in Women’s Asia Cup history. Samjhana’s 72 off 45 with 11 fours made sure Nepal got over the line against the UAE with 23 balls to spare, losing just four wickets in the process.
When the rest of the batters got out early, Samjhana stayed at the crease to get the team over the line. Rubina Chhetri’s 10-run innings was the second-highest score for Nepal. SIta Rana Magar and Puja Mahato scored seven runs each while skipper Indu Barma scored six runs and Kabita Kunwar could add only two runs to the total.
Kavisha Egodage took three wickets for the UAE while Lavanya Keny took one wicket.
Earlier, batting first in Dambulla, UAE posted 115 runs at the loss of eight wickets. Khushi Sharma’s 39-ball 36 was the highest score for the UAE. Egodage scored 22 while Samaira Dharnidharka contributed 13 runs to the total. Skipper Esha Oza scored 10 runs.
Nepal’s skipper Indu Barma took three wickets while Sabnam Rai, Kabita Joshi and Kritika Marasini took one wicket each.
Nepal, in Group A, are alongside India and Pakistan who will take on each other later in the day. Nepal’s second outing will be against Pakistan two days later.
