Nepal reached first ever final of any international tournament in 12 years crushing Indonesia by 92 runs in a record-breaking victory of the Thailand Women’s Twenty20 Smash in Bangkok on Friday.

Put in to bat first, a fine batting display from the top order steered Nepal to an imposing 119-3 in 20 overs. Skipper Rubina Chhetry then wreaked havoc in the middle order to bundle out Indonesia for a paltry 27 in just 11.1 overs. Nepal will now meet familiar foes Thailand in the final on Saturday.

The final entry is Nepal’s first in over a decade after they played the 2007 ACC Women’s Championship title match against now a Test team Bangladesh in their debut international event. The semi-final win comes at a time when women’s cricket is struggling at home in the absence of domestic cricket thanks to the suspension of cricket governing body.

Nepal themselves were playing an international tournament in 13 months after competing in the 2017 ICC Women’s World Twenty20 Qualifying Series Asia Region. Coach Binod Das was glad to put the team in the final. “It really feels great, especially to see the girls enjoying their time on the field. We have earned some respect on this tour and would like to take it further ahead,” Das said from Bangkok.

With the Indonesian team against whom they had never played before, Nepal put an upper hand after opener Sita Rana Magar and Indu Barma put on a half century stand to lay the foundation for a big total. Rana Magar started with a modest 31-run stand for the first wicket with Kajal Shrestha (14) before Barma joined her in the middle.

Rana Magar and Barma added 70 runs for the second wicket as Nepal crossed triple figures, for the second time in the tournament having previously chased 106 runs against the United Arab Emirates. Rana Magar made a patient 48 off 62 deliveries before running herself out. Barma contributed 37 not out from 33 balls with two boundaries.

Former captain Nary Thapa and Kabita Kunwar gave Nepal the early breakthrough removing openers Yulia Anggraeni (13) and Kadek Winda Prastini (two) but Indonesia were still in the game at 19-2 in 4.3 overs. Captain Chhetri then triggered the collapse with two run-outs in a single over as Indonesia kept losing wickets at regular intervals.

Player-of-the-match Chhetri continued to impress picking up four wickets that folded Indonesia with 53 balls to spare. Chhetri took 4-2 off 3.1 overs. Rana Magar and Sarita Magar also took a wicket each. Das was all praise of her girls for the allround display.

“It was one of those games where everything fell into its place. We had a decent start in batting that helped us reach a good total. Indonesia had a potent attack but our girls, specially Sita and Indu batted brilliantly. The bowling also came good and that was why we managed to put up a clinical performance,” Das said.

To win their first ever international title at senior level, Nepal now must give a performance of their lifetime against a Thai side who began the international journey together but moved far ahead in women’s cricket. Das, however, wants to remain positive. “I think we have a very good team and we can only go upwards from here if the girls are looked after well. I think we are very close to Thailand and I won’t be surprised if these girls create an upset tomorrow,” the coach said.