By a Staff Reporter
Kathmandu – Spinner Sangita Rai and fast-bowler Kabita Kunwar helped Nepal register a winning start to the ACC Women’s T20 Championship 2022 on Friday.
The duo helped Nepal defeat Bhutan by 50 runs in the championship that kicked off in Malaysia today (June 17).
Chasing a target of 95 runs for victory, Bhutan were all out for 44 runs in 17.5 overs thanks to exceptional bowling by Rai and Kunwar. Bhutan’s Chiring Zangmo scored 16 runs off 28 balls. No other batswoman of Bhutan put up a noteworthy performance.
Spinner Rai took 4 wickets in the match while fast bowler Kunwar and Sita Rana Magar took two wickets each. Likewise, Indu Berma and Ashmina Karmacharya bagged a wicket each.
Earlier, Nepal opted to bat first at the UKM SD Cricket Oval in Malaysia and posted 94 runs in allotted 20 overs losing 9 wickets. Nepal’s Kajal Shrestha scored the highest 20 runs off 26 balls.
Bhutan’s Sonam Palden took 4 wickets while Anju Gurung and Rashi Cheki bagged a wicket each.
Nepal are drawn against Hong Kong, Kuwait, Bhutan and Bahrain in Group B of the championship. Group A includes the UAE, Malaysia, Oman, Qatar and Singapore.
The top two teams from each group will reach the semifinals. The two finalists will get an opportunity to compete in the ACC Asia Cup Women’s T20 Championship.
India, Pakistan, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka along with Nepal are the title contenders.
Nepal will next face Kuwait on Saturday.
