KATHMANDU, Nov 24: Nepal’s hope of securing its berth in the top two of the ongoing ICC Women’s World Twenty20 Qualifying Series Asia Region faced setback after facing a five runs defeat to United Arab Emirates (UAE) in its third match on Thursday. 

Nepali women’s cricket team which had left for Thailand with a target of earning place in the Global Qualifiers finishing in the top two of the ongoing competition, finds itself in the fifth position in six-team contest. 

Nepal has just two points from three matches earned from earlier two matches against host team Thailand and Hong Kong. Both matches were washed away due to rain. The top two positions in the competition are held by Thailand and Hong Kong which have acquired equal four points.  

At the Asian Institute of Technology Ground, Bangkok, UAE won the toss and elected to bat before making a total of 79-7 in the allotted 20 overs. 

In reply, Nepal scored 74 runs in the loss of nine wickets, failing a short of five runs.   
Only two batswomen managed to touch double digit for Nepal with Ritu Kanoujiya scoring highest 23-ball 22 while opener Jyoti Pandey made 12 runs. 

Sarita Magar and Kajal Shrestha contributed seven and eight runs respectively. Indu Barma, Nary Thapa and skipper Rubina Chhetri Belbashi were dismissed without making single run. 
Nisha Ali and Humaria Tasneem claimed two wickets each while Kavisha Egodage, Esha Rohit and Ishni Mananelage added one wicket each for the winning team. 

Earlier Esha Rohit made 22 runs facing 27 balls while Natasha Cherriath contributed 23 runs. Likewise, Nisha Ali was other batswomen to make notable contributor with 28-ball 17. 

Skipper Rubina Chettry Belbahsi was pick of the Nepali bowling as she claimed 3-12 while Kanoujiya pocketed two wickets. Nary Thapa added one wicket for Nepali team. 
In its fourth match, Nepal will face Malaysia on Friday. 

 
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