U-19 T20 World Cup: Nepal secures second consecutive win

KATHMANDU: Nepal secured a dominant 108-run victory over Kuwait in their second match of the ICC U-19 Women’s T20 World Cup Asia Qualifier, held today at The Sevens Stadium in the United Arab Emirates (UAE).

Winning the toss and opting to bat first, Nepal set a target of 131 runs for Kuwait. Due to a strong bowling performance from Nepal, Kuwait could only score 22 runs in 13 overs, losing all wickets.

Kuwait's captain, Zeefa Jilani, top-scored with 12 runs, hitting two boundaries in 17 balls. No other batter from Kuwait was able to reach double digits.

Ayesha Iqbal Pewekar was dismissed for just two runs off three balls, while Sarrah Jasvi made 4 off 12 balls. Ziniya Afroz and Swatiba Kuldeepsing Parmar managed just one run each. Candice Jerica Dias, Raelyn Maria D’Souza, Ishanvi Mohan Singh, Pearl Serena Simon, Khadija Jahir Hussain, and Ameesha Ram Olacheri all failed to score.

Towards the bowling, Rachana Kumari Chaudhary and Seema KC claimed one wicket each, with their teammates—captain Puja Mahato, Krishma Gurung, and Manisha Kumari Upadhyay—each contributing with a wicket as well.

Earlier, Nepal posted a total of 130 runs in 20 overs, losing eight wickets. Captain Puja Mahato led the charge with the bat, scoring 34 runs from 38 balls, including four boundaries. Sana Praveen contributed 25 runs off 18 balls, hitting five boundaries, while Jyotsnika Marasini made 23 runs from 18 balls with one boundary. Sabitri Dhami and Soni Pakhrin both made 6 runs each, while Seema KC scored 4 runs.

Krishma Gurung added one run, and Rachana Kumari Sharma and Riya Sharma were dismissed for zero runs. Nepal also benefited from 16 extras in the innings.

For Kuwait, Ayesha Iqbal Pewekar took two wickets, while Zeefa Jilani and Ameesha Ram Olacheri each claimed one wicket.

This defeat marks Kuwait's second consecutive loss in the tournament, following a 106-run loss to the UAE on Wednesday.

Nepal will now face the UAE on Saturday.

The top team from this competition will be qualified to play in the World Cup to be held in Malaysia in 2025.

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