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Kathmandu, January 24 — Nepal urgently needed a victory on Saturday to maintain their chances in the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup Qualifier. Nevertheless, their opponent, Zimbabwe, proved to be a challenging team.

Zimbabwe, a team that plays Test cricket, was also keen on securing the victory, as it marked their final group-stage game in the Qualifier. They had previously lost to the Netherlands, Thailand, and Scotland.

Even Nepal, the host nation, had endured two consecutive losses prior to the game against Zimbabwe. Nepal was beaten by Thailand and the Dutch team.

Therefore, with two games left, Nepal had to defeat Zimbabwe to remain in contention for the Super 6, where the top three teams from each group would qualify. From the Super 6, the top four teams will secure their spot in the Women’s T20 international tournament in England and Wales later this year.

Collaboration between Puja and Indu

Nepal’s women’s cricket team’s head coach, Harshal Jayant Pathak, commended every member of his squad. “However, Puja and Indu had the standout performance,” Pathak mentioned following a six-wicket victory against Zimbabwe. “Their collaboration was vital today.”

Puja Mahato, the vice-captain, and Indu Barma, the team’s captain, were on strike after Bindu Rawal (15 from 17 balls) was dismissed for the second wicket in the 5.3 over. The team was at 47/2 when Mahato and Barma formed a 35-run partnership for the third wicket, but the captain was unfortunately out at 22 off 23 balls.

Barma attempted a shot, but the ball soared high and landed behind, striking the stumps.

Mahato was unable to form a partnership with Kabita Joshi (1 run off 3) and Sita Rana Magar, but she completed the innings with Rubina Chhetry (2 runs off 2).

Zimbabwe scored 129 for 6 in the first innings after choosing to bat first. Nepal then reached 133 runs with three balls remaining.

Most fifties for Mahato

Mahato concluded the chase in 19.3 overs by hitting a four. The boundary marked Mahato’s third T20I fifty. Additionally, this was her second half-century at the TU International Cricket Stadium.

It was my second fifty at the TU Ground,” Mahato said with a big grin during the post-match press conference. “I had a tough performance in the previous match against the Netherlands. However, I was encouraged by the head coach, the captain, and the fans. I arrived today convinced that it would be my day, and it turned out to be true.

Only seven fifties had been recorded by a female Nepali cricketer prior to the game against Zimbabwe. Rubina Chhetry and Mahato each had two, while Barma, Magar, and Samjhana Khadka each scored one.

With a solid 52 runs from 50 balls against Zimbabwe, Mahato became the sole Nepali female cricketer to achieve three half-centuries in T20 internationals.

Mahato’s last five matches were against the Maldives and the Netherlands.

A score of 62 not out against the Netherlands took place at the TU Stadium during the tri-series involving Thailand in February last year.

Magar’s 1,000 T20I runs

Magar, a member of the initial group of Nepali women’s cricket players, demonstrated her skills in the recent game against the Netherlands. She brought Nepal near victory, but the visitors emerged victorious by 2 runs.

Her 27 off 12 was not enough to secure the victory against the Dutch team, but it helped Magar reach 992 T20I runs. And on Saturday, she surpassed the 1,000-run mark, thanks to a dropped catch at 5.

Nevertheless, Magar was injured following a collision with a player from Zimbabwe and was taken to the hospital. She was dismissed without scoring at 11 runs from 15 balls.

“I spoke with the physio, and she mentioned that Sita was fine,” Pathak said during the post-match press conference.

Magar joined Barma and Chhetry as the third Nepali cricketer to achieve the milestone, which they both reached during Thursday’s game against the Netherlands.

After defeating Zimbabwe, Nepal now has two points and may secure a spot in the top three teams if they beat Scotland on Monday.

We needed to win the game against Scotland in a strategic way because the net run rate will determine the outcome,” Mahato said. “We are getting ready for it.

Scotland also has four points from three matches.