Nepal faced a defeat against Namibia in their opener of the Women’s Day Cup, scoring only 92 runs. Namibia successfully chased a revised target of 71 runs, winning with six wickets in hand. Nepal will play Uganda and Hong Kong next before rematching Namibia.
In their Women’s Day Cup opener, Nepal suffered a defeat against Namibia in a match held in Entebbe, Uganda. Nepal’s batting performance was lackluster, resulting in a total of only 92 runs. This encounter marked the inaugural clash between the two teams in women’s cricket.
Opener Samjhana Khadka led the batting with 18 runs off 11 balls, while Puja Mahato contributed 13 runs off 20 balls. Kabita Joshi and Ishwari Bist also made minor contributions, scoring 16 off 31 balls and 17 off 14 balls, respectively. Namibia’s bowlers, Wilka Mwatile and Mekelanye Mwatile, were particularly effective, each taking three wickets and delivering economical spells.
As Nepal’s total appeared challenging to defend, the situation worsened when rain influenced Namibia’s chase, reducing their target to 71 runs in 15 overs. Consequently, Namibia successfully achieved the target with six wickets remaining and only two balls to spare. Mekelanye Mwatile not only excelled in bowling but also topped Namibia’s batting score with 26 runs off 35 balls.
Nepal’s bowlers, including Mahato, Joshi, skipper Indu Barma, and Bist, each took one wicket, but it was not enough to secure a victory. Despite this initial loss, Nepal’s captain and coach expressed optimism before the tournament, indicating they still have opportunities to compete effectively in the remaining five matches of the double round-robin format.
Nepal’s upcoming challenges include matches against Uganda and Hong Kong on March 9 and 10, respectively, leading up to a rematch against Namibia on March 12.
In conclusion, Nepal’s debut in the Women’s Day Cup against Namibia resulted in a disappointing loss, marked by a low batting total and challenges posed by Namibia’s formidable bowling. With five games remaining, Nepal still has opportunities to recover and establish a stronger performance in the tournament. Upcoming matches against Uganda and Hong Kong will be crucial for building momentum.
Original Source: kathmandupost.com
