Kathmandu-Nepal Women Cricket team is in a transition phase as the men’s senior team were few years back. Like, the junior(U-19) men’s team), women U-19 team has left an extraordinary remark at the ACC U-19 Championship having won the ACC U-19 Championship 3 times consecutively in 2008, 2010 and 2012. But they are yet to achieve any success at the senior level. Their only achievement at the senior level is reaching the final of the ACC Women’s Tournament, 2007.
Last time when they participated in the Asian Games, a lot was expected from them. They were expected to garb a medal or but in the contrary, they were knocked out of the group stages.
This time the expectation are not as high. The team looks young and a bit immature. With Neera Rajopadhaya, the senior-most and the most experienced women cricket player, choosing to pursue her cricketing career as a coach rather than a player, the women’s team has become more weak. Their preparation has been limited to a closed camp and a few practice matches at the Tribhuwan University Ground.
Whatever the situation and preparation be, Nepal Womens team never lacks the enthusiasm and motivation to perform well in any tournament. They have won the ACC U-19 Championship thrice and almost all members of the current squad has played for the U-19s winning team. They are groomed with a lot of talent. Therefore, they will be searching for glory in senior cricket as the Asian Games Cricket goes on like the senor Mens team did after being crowned champions in loads of tournament at the junior level.
Nepal are placed in Group D alongside Thailand and Malaysia. Nepal takes Thailand today at the Yeonhui Cricket Ground, South Korea.
Nepal Women Vs Thailand Women
Nepal Women against Thailand women will be a interesting battle today. With just one spot available to go further for these three teams. The winning team between Nepal Vs Thailand is likely to progress further.
Though Nepal has left an extraordinary remark at the ACC U-19 Championship having won the ACC U-19 Championship 3 times consecutively in 2008, 2010 and 2012, the senior cricket team is at the same stage where it was few years back. Batting has always been one of the major concerns for Nepal in ACC tournament.
Thailand, meanwhile has jumped to a considerable height in women’s cricket. Thailand was the winners ACC Women’s Championship 2013 and also shield winners (5th) of T20 Women World Cup Qualifiers. They were also the winners of ACC Womens premier 2014 and with domestic women cricket booming-they look a well balanced side.
Previous Encounters (Thailand 4: Nepal 2)
Nepal and Thailand made debut in Women’s Cricket facing each other in 2007 ACC Women’s Championship. Nepal defeated Thailand by 55 runs in that match-none of the Thai batters had crossed double digits scores.
Thailand Cricket improved a great deal since then. 6 years later after that humiliating loss -the same Thailand side composed of mostly the same players from 2007 returned the favor in 2013 edition of the tournament. Nepali batters faced the same fate Thai batters did in 2007- everyone failing to cross double digits. Thailand won the match by 7 wickets chasing 38 runs.
Nepal and Thailand Women have met 4 other times in 4 different edition of ACC Women’s T20 Championship. Thailand defeated Nepal in 2009 edition by 23 runs, Nepal avenged the loss in the next edition winning by 21 runs, but Thailand had the final say as they beat Nepal in 2011 edition by 13 runs.
Nepal women’s lastest match against Thai Women was in the ACC Women’s premier where Nepal faced another humilating defeat. Nepal were bundled out for 39 runs in 9 overs. Thailand chased the terget with ease in the 14th over losing 2 wickets.
Players to Watch Out
Captain Rubina Chettri will be the player to watch out for Nepal in todays game. As, always she has been brilliant with the ball. She has contributed as well with the bat when the team needed it the most. She has been captaining this side from a quite time and her performance will be a deciding factor for Nepal today.
Thailand Sornnarin Tippoch is considered one of the better batters in associate women cricket . She is always amid runs can bowl more than handy off spin. She holds the record of highest individual score(108) and most wickets(6) in ACC Women’s Tournament. One of the most senior player in the thai squad her contribution will be vital today.
