KATHMANDU: Nepal Women's cricket team have entered a difficult phase after failing to qualify for two major continental events within two weeks, with batting collapses again exposing the team's biggest weakness.
Nepal first missed out on the Asian Games after losing to China by five wickets through the DLS method in the third-place playoff of the Asian Games Women's T20 Qualifier in Malaysia.
They then failed to qualify for the Women's Asia Cup after losing to Thailand by 56 runs in the quarter-final of the ACC Women's T20I Premier Cup.
The two defeats followed a similar pattern. Nepal's bowlers kept matches within reach, but the batting unit could not handle scoreboard pressure.
Against China, Nepal were reduced to 7/3 before rain shortened the match to seven overs per side. Nepal reached 50/5, helped by Kabita Kunwar’s unbeaten 22 off 10 balls.
China were given a revised target of 43 and reached 45/5 from the final ball. Riya Sharma took 2/3 in two overs, but Nepal still lost a match that ended their Asian Games hopes.
The defeat was also Nepal Women’s first loss against China. Nepal had beaten China by 19 runs earlier in the same tournament, but could not repeat that result in the qualification playoff.
The Asia Cup qualifier brought another batting failure. Thailand made 130/4 after choosing to bat first, with Nannapat Koncharoenkai scoring an unbeaten 63 off 51 balls.
Nepal replied with only 74/7 in 20 overs. Rubina Chhetry top-scored with an unbeaten 20, while Sony Pakhrin made 15, Sita Rana Magar 12 and Samjhana Khadka 11.
No other Nepal batter reached double figures. Thailand's Thipatcha Putthawong took 2/7 in four overs, while Sunida Chaturongrattana and Suleeporn Laomi also picked up two wickets each.
The broader numbers show a clear pattern. Under head coach Harshal Pathak, Nepal Women have won 12 of 22 T20Is, but many of their biggest defeats have come in matches where the batting has collapsed.
Nepal have recently been bowled out for 40 against Hong Kong, China, made 50/5 against China, 74/7 against Thailand, 71/8 against Malaysia and 75 all out against Vanuatu.
The bowling unit has remained competitive. In recent matches, Nepal restricted Hong Kong to 109/3, Bhutan to 62/8, Qatar to 76, China to 106/5 and Thailand to 130/4.
But the batting has not matched that control. Nepal’s top order has often left the middle and lower order with rescue jobs instead of platforms.
The issue is sharper because Pathak was appointed to bring structure, confidence and pressure management to the women's team. His tenure has produced wins, but not yet the batting reliability needed in knockout matches.
Nepal's ranking concern has also grown after the recent run, the team’s Women’s T20I ranking has dropped.
The immediate question is no longer only about selection or one bad match. Nepal need a clearer batting method, stronger domestic preparation, and players who can absorb pressure in qualification games.
Until that changes, Nepal Women may continue to compete well with the ball but fall short when continental places are on the line.
