Nepal is the only team to remain undefeated in all three editions of the tournament. Nepal has taken its winning streak to 19 matches in the ACC tournament.
This is the first title of any ACC events in last two years for Nepal. [break]
This was Nepal´s second victory over Thailand in this edition of the tournament. In group stage match, Nepal had defeated Thailand by four wickets.
In the Friday´s title clash, Nepal invited Thailand to bat first after winning the toss and restricted them to a total of just 74 runs off 22.4 overs. Nepal crossed the target after the completion of the 21st over losing four wickets.
"After winning the toss, we wanted to restrict them for a low score and we succeeded. Though we lost couple of wickets early, it was an easy final for us," said Nepali Coach Nabin Singh.
Player-of-the-match Nepali skipper Rubina Chhetri grabbed three wickets in her 4.4 overs conceding only seven runs. Sangeeta Gauchan grabbed two wickets in her five over spell conceding 16 runs. Chhetri gave a breakthrough to Nepal with the wicket of Sainammin Saenya (1) in the second over of the innings. Sirintra Saengsakaorat (5) was short to the crease in the fourth over of the Thai innings with 11 runs on board.
Thailand skipper Nattakan Chantam, who was bothering Nepali bowlers, was back to the pavilion in the 12th over. Chantam scored 22 runs and shared a-24 runs partnership for the third wicket with Phira-on Khamla. Chanida Sutthiruang scored 10 runs before being run out in 16.3 overs. Sonu Khadka cleverly trapped Phira-on Khamla (13) for a backing-up.
Spinner Gauchan grabbed another wicket of Thailand batter Wongpaka Liengprasert in the 18th over. Chhetri came back to bowl her second spell and took the wicket of Sureeporn Laomi (7). Suthida Chaichana (1) was caught at cover by Mamata Chaudhary in Khadka´s ball while Arreya Priyakhunakorn (3) was short to the crease. Chaudhary caught Chutha Yiso (0) in Chhetri´s ball.
Chhetri is the vice-captain of the Nepal´s senior women´s team and she had taken three wickets against Bhutan in the final of the last edition as well.
Chasing the total of 75 runs, Nepal did not start well. Nepal lost its both openers, Anuradha Chaudhary and Droupati Kunwar, on ducks by the second over of the innings. Chaudhary was trapped LBW in the fifth ball of the first over while Kunwar was bowled in the third ball of the second over. Indu Barma and Kavita Gautam shared a-17 runs partnership for the third wicket.
Gautam was out after scoring three runs while Barma (6 runs) was caught behind in Phira-on Khamla´s bowling. Nepal had scored 19 runs in seven overs losing four wickets.
Skipper Chhetri and Mamata Chaudhary shared a 56-run partnership for the fifth wicket. They faced 89 balls to build the partnership.
Chhetri was not out at 24 runs off 45 balls with two boundaries while Chaudhary remained unbeaten on 21 runs off 43 balls with a boundary. Chhetri pulled Arreya Priyakhunakorn´s ball for a four and later scored the winning runs in the 21st over.
"When I went to the crease as a number four batter, I was thinking of remaining not out until we won the match. Mamta (Chaudhary) supported me well. We were good at running between the wickets," said Nepali skipper Chhetri.
Chhetri also received player-of-the-tournament award for her all-round performance in the championship. Chhetri scored 71 runs and took 13 wickets in all six matches that Nepal played in the tournament.
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