Nepal suffers two-run defeat against Netherlands

KATHMANDU: Nepal suffered their second defeat in the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup Global Qualifier, losing to the Netherlands by two runs at the TU International Cricket Stadium in Kathmandu on Thursday.

Batting first, the Netherlands scored 140 runs for the loss of five wickets in the allotted 20 overs. In reply, Nepal were restricted to 138 runs for the loss of seven wickets.

Although the Netherlands lost their opener Phebe Molkenboer for a duck, Babette de Leede (49) and Sterre Kallis (30) steadied the innings. Robine Rijke (19), Iris Zwilling (14), and Heather Siegers (13) made valuable contributions with the bat to post a competitive total.

Rubina Chhetry claimed two wickets for Nepal, while Somu Bist, Puja Mahato, and Riya Sharma chipped in with one wicket each.

Nepal made a slow start to the chase as openers Bindu Rawal and Samjhana Khadka were dismissed for 18 and 14, respectively. Although Nepal lost wickets at regular intervals, captain Rubina Chhetry (37) and Kabita Joshi (18) kept Nepal in the hunt. However, despite Sita Rana Magar scoring 27 off 12 balls, Nepal fell short by two runs.

Isabel van der Woning took three wickets for the Netherlands, while Silver Siegers and Robine Rijke claimed one wicket each.

Nepal conceded an eight-wicket defeat to Thailand in the first match of the Qualifier. They will now face Zimbabwe in their third group-stage match on Saturday.