Nepal Women’s Team Falls to Thailand in ICC T20 World Cup Qualifier

Kathmandu — Nepal’s women’s cricket team suffered a defeat in their opening match of the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup Qualifiers. On Sunday at the Tribhuvan University Ground in Kirtipur, Thailand defeated Nepal by eight wickets.

Batting first, Nepal set a target of 123 runs, which Thailand chased down in 16.5 overs, losing just two wickets. Natthakan Chanthan led Thailand’s innings with an unbeaten 57 off 39 balls, including nine fours and a six. Her opening partner Abhisar scored 28 runs off 32 balls before being bowled by Nepal’s Sita Ranamagar, who also dismissed Natthapat LBW after 32 balls and six fours.

For Nepal, opener Bindu Rawal top-scored with 44 runs, while Samjhana Khadka contributed 26. The pair put together a 52-run partnership for the first wicket in 5.4 overs, giving Nepal an aggressive start. However, after Bindu’s dismissal in the 14th over, Nepal managed only 35 more runs for the loss of eight wickets in the remaining six overs. Other notable contributions included Rubina Khatri with 17 runs and Pooja Mahato with 12.

Thailand’s Thipacha proved effective with the ball, taking four wickets.

The tournament features ten teams divided into two groups. Nepal is in Group B alongside Scotland, Thailand, Zimbabwe, and the Netherlands. The top three teams from each group will advance to the Super Six stage, with the top four teams from the Super Six qualifying for the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup 2026, to be held in England and Wales.

Nepal’s upcoming matches in the qualifiers are:

-Nepal vs Netherlands – Tribhuvan University Ground – Magh 8

-Nepal vs Zimbabwe – Tribhuvan University Ground – Magh 10

-Nepal vs Scotland – Tribhuvan University Ground – Magh 12