Himal Press 
Photo: CAN
KATHMANDU: Nepal has entered the semifinal of the 2026 Asian Games-Women’s Qualifier with a four-wicket victory over Indonesia in Malaysia on Thursday.
Batting first, Indonesia posted 113 runs for the loss of four wickets in their 20 overs. Nepal chased down the target, losing six wickets with three balls to spare.
Although Nepal removed both Indonesian openers with just two runs on the board, Indonesia recovered as NI Putu Ayu Nanda Sakarini scored an unbeaten 56 off 62 balls. She found support from NI Luh Ketut Wesika Ratna Dewi (23) as the two formed a crucial 65-run partnership. NI Made Putri Suwandewi scored 13.
Manisha Upadhayay picked two wickets, giving away just nine runs in her four-over spell, while Riya Sharma claimed one.
Chasing 114, Nepal also lost openers Samjhana Kumari (1) and Puja Mahato (9) cheaply. No. 3 batter Sony Pakhrin kept Nepal on the hunt with a 36-ball 29. Although Robi Poddar fell for a duck, Captain Indu Barma took Nepal home with an unbeaten 42 runs off 43 balls. Kabita Kunwar contributed a run-a-ball 14, while veteran Sita Rana Magar remained not out at 13 off six balls.
NI Made Putri Suwandewi and NI Kadek Ariani claimed two wickets each for Indonesia, while IDADA Laksmi Paramitha and Sang Ayu Nyoman Maypriani picked up one each.
Nepal will now meet Malaysia in the semifinal on Saturday, while Thailand face China in the second semifinal.
The finalists and the winner of the third-place playoff qualify for the Asian Games.
