Nepal has secured its berth in the final of the Women's T20 Quadrangular Series underway in Malaysia despite its defeat to Malaysia in today's match.
Nepal will be meeting Hong Kong in the final to be held on Saturday.
While Nepal, Hong Kong, and Malaysia all have accumulated four points each, it is Nepal and Hong Kong that have advanced to the final based on their superior run rates. These three teams each won two matches during the group stage.
In today's match held at Kuala-Lumpur-based Bayuemas Oval Cricket Stadium, Nepal was put into bat first after losing the toss. It posted a target of 84 runs against Malaysia. Though the match was limited to 18 overs due to rains, Malaysia secured the run target in 16.2 overs at the loss of four wickets.
Malaysia's all-rounder Ainna Hamizah Hashim hit 36 not out followed by 21 by Mahirah Izzati Ismail. Towards bowling, Puja Mahato, Rubina Chhetri Belbase and Sita Rana Magar took one wicket each.
Batting for Nepal before this, skipper Rubina Chhetri Belbase clinched 23 runs, Indu Barma 20, and Kajal Shrestha 18 runs. The rest of the players could not collect runs in notable numbers.
Nepal defeated Hong Kong by six wickets in the first match and Kuwait by 34 runs in the second match of the Group stage. Similarly, Malaysia was trounced by Hong Kong by 10 wickets in the first match while it defeated Kuwait by eight wickets in the second match.
Nepal, Hong Kong, and Kuwait are playing the Women T20 series along with the hosts Malaysia. Nepal is participating in this series in preparation for the ICC Women's T-20 World Cup Asia Qualifiers to be held in Malaysia from August 31.
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