Nepal’s dream of playing the inaugural ICC Women’s U-19 World Cup have been shattered after the second loss in the ongoing Asian region qualification. Thailand thrashed Nepal by 49 runs to keep their hope alive for the World Cup spot. The winner between Thailand and UAE on June 9 will book the World Cup seat after both teams were victorious in their first 4 matches.
Nepal had a nightmare of a start chasing a total of 90 runs. They lost Anjali Bishowkarma and Sanu Rajbanshi when the score was 6 from 5 overs. None of the batters lasted long in the crease and were unable to touch a double-digit score. Shristi Jaisi was Nepal’s top scorer with 7 runs from 21 balls. Thai bowlers bowled 11 extras throughout the inning. Eventually, Nepal were bowled out for 40 runs in 19.5 overs.
Five Nepali batters were ran out while Skipper Nanthita Boonsukham was the pick of a bowler for Thailand with 3 wickets in her Name. Thanyalak Chumnan and Pornnapha Saehoe also pocketed 1 wicket each.
Earlier in the first inning, Thailand scored 89 runs from the allotted 20 overs losing 7 wickets. Invited to bat first at UKM-YSD Cricket Oval, Thailand didn’t have a pleasuring start as they lost Nannaphat Chaihan for 6 runs in the second over. Banthida Leephatthana and Thipatcha Putthawong then added 29 runs for the second wicket to establish Thailand’s inning. Leephatthana scored 19 runs whereas Putthawong added 20 without scoring a single boundary. Suwanan Khiaoto’s 16 runs in the middle overs helped Thailand post a decent score.
Skipper Kritika Marasini and Manisha Upadhaya were brilliant with the ball picking up 2 wickets each conceding just 15 and 14 runs respectively. Sneha Mahara also grabbed 1 wicket for Nepal.
