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Kathmandu, January 24 — Nepal’s national women’s cricket squad achieved their first-ever win against a Test-playing country, beating Zimbabwe by six wickets in the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup Global Qualifier on Saturday.

Following the loss of the toss and being asked to bat first, Zimbabwe scored 129 for six in their 20 overs at the Tribhuvan University International Cricket Ground in Kirtipur. Nepal successfully chased the target with three balls remaining, achieving 133 for four, mainly due to an unbeaten half-century by vice-captain Pooja Mahato.

Pooja remained not out with a score of 52 off 50 balls, smashing four boundaries and two sixes, leading the run chase following early wickets. Nepal gained a lot from Zimbabwe’s inconsistent bowling, scoring 20 runs from extras, including 17 wides.

Smriti Khadka scored 9 runs from 7 balls, while Bindu Rawal managed 15 runs from 17 balls. Captain Indu Barma and Pooja formed a vital 35-run partnership for the third wicket. Indu scored 22 runs from 23 balls, hitting two fours and a six, before being dismissed by Josephine Nkomo.

Kabita Joshi was out for a single, whereas Sita Rana Magar retired hurt at 11, achieving the milestone of 1,000 runs in women’s T20 internationals. She became just the third female player from Nepal to reach this accomplishment, following Indu Barma and Pooja Mahato. Rubina Chhetri stayed not out on two.

Previously, Kelly Dhlovu led Zimbabwe’s scoring with an unbroken 52 runs from 36 balls, featuring eight boundaries. Opening batter Beloved Biza scored 34, and Modester Mupachikwa added 14. Zimbabwe’s captain, Chipo Mugeri-Tiripano, was out for eight runs.

In the match against Nepal, Riya Sharma took two wickets while giving away 25 runs in four overs. Kabita Kunwar, Sita Rana Magar, Rubina Chhetri, and Pooja Mahato each claimed one wicket.

The triumph ensures Nepal’s slim chances of progressing to the Super Six remain alive, signifying their initial victory in the Global Qualifier, after previously losing to Thailand and the Netherlands. Zimbabwe, on the other hand, faced their fourth consecutive loss in the group stage, having also fallen to the Netherlands, Thailand, and Scotland.