KATHMANDU, Dec 2: Nepal has wrapped up the ACC Women's Asia Cup T20 Tournament without any victory after it faced a thumping 99 runs defeat at the hands of Asian giant India on Friday.
In the match against India, which has already secured a place in the final, Nepal's national women's cricket team also succumbed to its lowest ever total in international tournament. In its chase of 121-run target, Nepal was bowled out for just 21 runs in 16.3 overs. The score was lower than the previous lowest total of 23 runs scored against Sri Lanka in the same tournament on Monday.
Following the defeat, Nepal not only failed to open account in the points table but also finished at the rock bottom in the six-team contest. Nepal had flown to Thailand with the aim of beating at least one Test-playing nation in the contest studded with four Test nations and fellow associate team Thailand.
Nepal's batting woes was once again exposed against India. Nepal has failed to reach 50 runs total in any of the four Test teams of the tournament. Earlier, Nepal scored 23 runs against Sri Lanka, 41 runs against Bangladesh and 47 runs against Pakistan
In Friday's match played at the Asian Institute of Technology Ground, Bangkok, Nepal won the toss and invited India to bat first. The record five-time champion India made 120 runs loosing 5 wickets at the close.
In the run chase, none of the Nepali batswomen managed to touch double digits with highest scorer Sarita Magar managing just six runs. Openers Jyoti Pandey and Sita Rana Magar were sent to the pavilion for just two runs and one run respectively. Captain Rubina Chetry was out for just two runs while Karuna Bhandari (2) and Roshani Bohora (1) were out cheaply. Four other batswomen including Nary Thapa, Neera Rajopadhyay, Sobha Ale and Sangita Rai were out for a duck.
Poonam Yadav was the pick of Indian bowlers as she claimed three wickets conceding just nine runs. Anuja Patil was another Indian bowler who claimed two wickets conceding zero run with three maiden overs. Sabbhineni Meghana was another bowler who sent two Nepali batswomen to the pavilion.
The highest contributor for Indian team in the match Shikha Pandey made 39 runs remaining not out. Openers Vellaswamy Vanitha contributed 21 runs respectively.
Skipper Rubina Chhetry pocketed two wickets of India while Sita Rana Magar and Karuna Bhandari were other two Nepali players to pick a wicket each.
After the win, India wrapped up the group stage remaining atop the points table maintaining cent percent record. India will meet Pakistan in the final on Sunday.
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