Kathmandu - Nepal Women U19 missed out on a place in the ACC Women's U19 Premier Cup final after losing to United Arab Emirates Women U19 in a Super Over at the Bayuemas Oval in Kuala Lumpur on Friday.
The semi-final went to a Super Over after both teams were bowled out for 100 in 20-over cricket. Nepal managed only 6/2 in their Super Over, and UAE chased the target with 7/0 in three balls to seal a dramatic win.
UAE won the toss and elected to bat first. Nepal's bowlers kept the match under control for long periods, bowling UAE out for 100 in 19.5 overs.
Mehul Pranav Kulkarni top-scored for UAE with 30 off 29 balls, while Lavanya Keny made 25 off 40. Neha Kumari provided an important late push with an unbeaten 19 off 11 balls, a contribution that eventually proved vital in a low-scoring match.
Riya Sharma was Nepal's standout bowler, taking 3/8 in 3.5 overs. Anu Kadayat also claimed three wickets, returning 3/22. Trisana Bishwokarma picked up 2/17, while Manisha Upadhayay took one wicket.
Chasing 101, Nepal were under pressure early. Sabitri Dhami, the highest run-getter of the tournament, fell for 8, captain Sony Pakhrin was dismissed for 3, and Nepal were 41/4 after 12.1 overs.
Anu Kadayat then gave Nepal hope with a counter-attacking 20 off 15 balls, hitting two fours and a six. Wicketkeeper Alisha Yadav also played an important late hand, remaining unbeaten on 18 off 14 balls. Sana Praveen, the other opener had a tough day with the bat. She could only manage 17 off 30 with no boundaries.
Nepal reached 99/8 with one ball remaining, needing two runs to win. The final delivery brought the scores level but not the winning run, sending the match into a Super Over.
In the Super Over, Nepal lost both wickets after scoring six runs in five balls. UAE then completed the chase in just three deliveries without losing a wicket, ending Nepal’s unbeaten run in the tournament.
Vaishnave Mahesh was named Player of the Match after taking 3/12 in four overs. Sai Nikhil Thite supported her with 2/9, while Janani Thirukkumaran and Mehak Thakur picked up one wicket each.
UAE will now face Thailand in the final. Nepal will play Indonesia in the third-place match.
Despite the semi-final defeat, Nepal’s campaign remains significant. They had topped Group D with wins over Qatar, Singapore and Hong Kong before beating Japan in the quarter-final. By reaching the semi-finals, Nepal also secured qualification for the ACC Women’s U19 Asia Cup.
