Nepali eves continue winning streak

KATHMANDU, Feb 4: Nepal took its winning streak to 15 matches in the ACC U-19 Women´s Championship Cricket Tournament defeating Malaysia by 97 in the second match of the league round at Unity, Kuwait on Saturday. With the win, Nepal strengthened its chances of securing a semifinal berth.



It was Nepal´s third victory over Malaysia in the tournament and also one of the highest margin wins over any nation in the tournament. Nepal had earlier defeated Malaysia in the first edition of the tournament in the league round and also in the final. [break]



Winning the toss, Nepal opted to bat first and scored 136 runs for the loss of five wickets in allocated 25 overs. Opener Shilu Rijal and Anuradha Chaudhary had good opening partnership of 36 runs by the end of the ninth over. Chaudhary received a lifeline as Nur Nadhira dropped a catch in the eighth over but failed to utilize it and gave away her wicket with five runs.



Rijal shared a 40-run partnership for the second wicket with Indu Berma. Rijal was playing big shots against the Malaysian bowlers and Berma was helping her. Berma gave away her wicket with her personal 17 runs in the 16th over. Rijal also gave away her wicket in the same over while playing a big shot. Rijal scored 35 runs with four boundaries.



Skipper Rubina Chhetri and Mamata Chaudhary shared a 15-run partnership for the fourth wicket. Chhetri was removed from the crease with three runs. Kavita Gautam and Chaudhary shared a 28-run partnership for the fifth wicket. Gautam was back to the pavilion with two runs. Chaudhary was unbeaten in crease with 24 runs off 23 balls along with Sonu Khadka who scored nine runs off nine balls. Syazwani and Nadhirah took two wickets each for Malaysia.



In chasing the total, Malaysia could manage to score 39 in 16.2 overs. Santoshi Kumari Chaudhary, who was later adjudged player-of-the-match, grabbed four wickets conceding 13 runs. Skipper Chhetri took three wickets for nine runs. Kavita Gautam grabbed a wicket while two of the Malaysian batters were short to the crease.



Nepali coach Nabin Singh said that the girls played well and the team played according to its plan. “We had planned to play complete 25 overs and score above 130 runs. We were lagging in fielding but our team is one of the strongest teams,” said coach adding, “We have no difficulty for the upcoming league matches.”

Nepal will face the UAE on Sunday at Unity.






Santoshi Chaudhary (File photo)

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