Himal Press 
KATHMANDU: Thailand suffered its first loss in the Nepal Women’s T20 Tri-series, conceding a one-wicket defeat to the Netherlands at the TU International Cricket Ground in Kathmandu on Thursday.
Batting first, Thailand scored 109 runs for the loss of five wickets. In reply, the Netherlands reached 110 for the loss of nine wickets.
Thailand had a disastrous start with the bat, losing three wickets with just 10 runs on the board. Natthakan Chantham and captain Naruemol Chaiwai led the recovery, scoring an unbeaten 36 and 15, respectively. Chanida Sutthiruang contributed 32, while Suwana Khiaoto remained unbeaten on 10.
Iris Zwilling took three wickets for the Netherlands, while Heather Siegers claimed two.
The Netherlands began the chase strongly, adding 28 runs for the first wicket. Openers Phebe Molkenboer and Sterre Kalis scored 32 and 12, respectively. Although captain Babette de Leede fell for four, Robine Rijke scored 20 off 21 balls to keep the chase alive. Despite losing wickets at regular intervals, the ninth-wicket pair of Silver Siegers and Isabel van der Woning held their nerve, stealing two runs in the final over to register the Netherlands’ first victory over Thailand in the series. Siegers scored seven from six balls, while van der Woning contributed five runs.
Thailand will face winless Nepal in the final match of the series on Friday knowing that it will claim the tri-series if it avoids a heavy defeat to Nepal.
