Thailand won the Nepal Women’s T20I Tri-Series at the TU Cricket Ground in Kirtipur on Friday. They beat Nepal by seven wickets, claiming the top spot in the tournament. Nepal, unfortunately, lost all six of their matches, finishing without a win.
Thailand Takes the Crown
Thailand finished first in the series with 10 points, winning five out of their six matches. Their only loss came against the Netherlands, who secured second place with eight points. The Netherlands also won a thrilling one-wicket match against Thailand in their final game.
Nepal’s Struggles Continue
Nepal’s performance was disappointing throughout the series. They lost three matches to both Thailand and the Netherlands. This marks their eighth consecutive loss in all formats, including their defeats in the Asia Cup. The team has yet to win a match recently, which highlights the challenges they face.
Need for Change in Nepal’s Cricket Strategy
The Nepal cricket team has struggled to qualify for major tournaments. They missed out on the 2024 Women’s T20 World Cup Qualifier after losing to Thailand in the 2023 Asia Qualifier. They also failed to qualify for the Asia Cup after a loss to Malaysia.
Despite these challenges, there is still hope. The team needs to adopt new strategies and focus on improving their skills to compete with stronger teams. With the right approach, better results are possible.
Hopeful Signs from Emerging Players
Despite the overall struggles, some players showed great promise. Manisha Upadhyaya impressed in her T20I debut on February 2. She took seven wickets in her first three matches. While she didn’t take wickets in the last two games, her early performances indicate she has a bright future.
Puja Mahato was Nepal’s top performer in the series. She scored 134 runs and took three wickets across six matches. Mahato also played a key role in helping Nepal qualify for the 2025 U-19 Women’s T20 World Cup. She earned a spot in the Best XII after scoring 70 runs and taking nine wickets in five matches.
Nepal’s Batting Woes Continue
Nepal’s batting performance was an ongoing issue. Captain Indu Barma struggled with her form, and her highest score was just 39 against the Netherlands. Throughout the series, the team failed to build solid batting partnerships, which contributed to their losses.
Final Match: Nepal Falls Short
In their last match against Thailand, Nepal posted a modest score of 81-7 in 20 overs. Samjhana Khadka top-scored with 17 runs from 29 balls. Thailand easily chased down the target in 17 overs, finishing with 82-3. Naruemol Chaiwai and Nannapat Koncharoenkai helped Thailand secure the win.
What Nepal Needs to Do Moving Forward
Although Thailand celebrated their victory, Nepal’s defeat highlighted the need for change. Players like Mahato and Upadhyaya offer hope for the future. However, Nepal must address their batting issues and improve consistency to compete at the international level.
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