KATHMANDU, Nov 29: Nepali women's cricket team faced a humiliating eight-wicket defeat against Sri Lanka in the ACC Women's T20 Asian Cup on Monday, scoring its lowest-ever international total.
In the match played at the Asian Institute of Technology Ground, Bangkok, Nepal was bowled out for 23 runs after being put to bat first. The score was lower than the previous lowest total of 26 runs scored against Bangladesh during the 2014 Asian Games in Inchon, South Korea.
Only three batswomen of Nepal managed to open account as it lost seven players for a duck. Opener Jyoti Pandey 16 runs off 39 balls was the highest scorer for Nepal while Sita Rana Magar (4 off 8) and skipper Rubina Chhetry (1 off 14) were the other batswomen to contribute runs.
Nepal to amend mistakes in second match
Kajal Shrestha, Nary Thapa, Indu Berma, Rashmi Chaulagain, Karuna Bhandari, Sarita Magar and Sabnam Rai were out without scoring a single run. Saraswati Chaudhary remained unbeaten but without scoring a single run off five deliveries.
Sugandika Kumari, Inoka Ranaweera of Sri Lanka pocketed three wickets each. Oshadi Ranasinghe claimed two wickets.
In the run chase, Sri Lanka achieved the meager target in just 4.3 overs for the loss of two wickets. Hasini Perera contributed unbeaten 17 runs off 14 balls for the victory. Opener Yasoda Mendis scored four runs before she was caught by Saraswati off Karuna. Dilani Manodara was not out on four runs.
Earlier on Saturday, Nepal had lost to Pakistan by nine wickets in the opening match of the tournament. Nepal had scored 47 runs against Pakistan. Nepal will take on Bangladesh in is next match on Tuesday and vie against Thailand in it penultimate fixture on Thursday. Nepal will play its last group stage match against India the following day.
The top two finishers after round-robin league will vie for the title.
