Nepal secured a one-wicket victory over Uganda in the Women’s Day Cup, ending a nine-match losing streak. U-19 captain Puja Mahato excelled with the ball and bat, leading the team to victory. Debutant Sana Praveen was the top scorer for Nepal, and the team will face Hong Kong next.
Nepal achieved a remarkable victory, defeating Uganda by one wicket in the Women’s Day Cup Twenty20 Series held in Entebbe on March 10. This victory marked the end of a challenging nine-match losing streak for the Nepali women’s cricket team, which had not won since a match against the UAE in July 2024.
U-19 captain Puja Mahato starred in the match with both bat and ball, earning the player of the match award with a significant contribution of three wickets and 16 runs. Nepal, winning the toss, opted to have Uganda bat first, limiting them to a modest total of 75 runs.
In their pursuit of 76 runs, Nepal chased down the target successfully in 19.5 overs, losing nine wickets. Debutant Sana Praveen emerged as the top scorer with 17 runs off 36 balls, marking her place as the 38th player to debut for the Nepali women’s national team.
Puja Mahato added 16 runs off 29 balls, while former captain Rubia Chhetry scored 10 runs. Ishwori Bist and Riya Sharma contributed minimally with 3 and 4 runs, respectively. Notably, Uganda’s Janet Mbabazi claimed three wickets, and Sarah Walaza added two against Nepal.
Immaculate Nakisuuyi was Uganda’s leading scorer with 22 runs off 40 balls, alongside other contributions from Malisa Ariokot and Stephanie Nampiina, who made 11 and 14 runs, respectively. Before her batting performance, Puja had excelled with the ball, claiming three wickets, supported by Indu Barma with two wickets. Following this match, Nepal will face Hong Kong on Monday, hoping to build on this victory.
Nepal’s thrilling one-wicket triumph over Uganda at the Women’s Day Cup showcases their resilience and determination, particularly after a challenging losing streak. Key players, especially Puja Mahato and debutant Sana Praveen, contributed significantly to the team’s success, marking a hopeful turning point for Nepal’s women’s cricket. The upcoming match against Hong Kong presents an opportunity for further achievement.
Original Source: risingnepaldaily.com
