Nepal suffered third consecutive defeat in the ACC Women’s Asia Cup, losing to Bangladesh this time as the team yet again crashed to a low total at the Terdthai Cricket Ground in Bangkok, Thailand, on Tuesday.

After crashing to low totals of 47 (against Pakistan) and 23 (against Sri Lanka), Nepal were bundled out for just 41 runs in 17.3 overs while chasing Bangladesh’s 133-4.  The defeat saw Nepal out of the race to enter the final. Top two teams after the round robin league will play for the title. India currently lead the table with three wins out of three, while Bangladesh (four) and Pakistan (four) are second and third respectively.

A solid 71-run opening wicket stand between Nigar Sultana and Sanjida Islam lifted Bangladesh to a big total. Nepal then kept losing wickets at regular intervals after Fahima Khatun picked up 4-8 from four overs. Opener Sita Rana Magar top scored with 15 runs from 14 deliveries with three boundaries but other batswoman failed to reach double figures. Indu Barma, who hit the only other boundary in Nepal innings, was next best with nine runs. Skipper Rubina Chhetri scored seven. Nahida Akter also picked up two wickets for Bangladesh. 

Earlier, Islam and Sultana scored briskly notching up a half century stand before the middle order cut loose. Sultana top scored with 39 off 41 with a four, while Islam’s 40-ball 35 included five boundaries. Shaila Sharmin (19) and Rumana Ahmed (17) gave a lift to Bangladesh innings with quick scoring. Shabnam Rai picked up two wickets for Nepal with Chhetri and Sarita Magar picking up one wicket apiece. 

Nepal next play fellow Associate nation Thailand in their fourth match on December 1. In another match, defending champions India underlined their title credentials with a five-wicket victory over Pakistan.

Summary

Bangladesh 133-4 in 20 overs (M Sultana 39, S Islam 35; S Rai 2-31, R Chhetri 1-28, S Magar 1-18) beat Nepal 41 in 17.3 overs (S Magar 15; F Khatun 4-8, N Akter 2-2) by 92 runs

Player-of-the-match: F Khatun (BAN)

Nepal to play India, Sri Lanka

KATHMANDU: Nepal were drawn in Group ‘A’ of the ACC U-19 Asia Cup to be held in Sri Lanka on December 15-23. The U-19 Asia Cup features Test-giants India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka and  Bangladesh along with Associates Afghanistan, Nepal, Malaysia and Singapore. Nepal are drawn with India, Sri Lanka and Malaysia. Nepal open their campaign with a match against Sri Lanka on December 15 and play India the next day. Their league campaign rounds up with a Malaysia match on Dec 18. Top two teams from each group will enter the semi-finals. (PR)