Puja Mahato's half-century and Riya Sharma's sharp bowling helped Nepal defeat China Women by 19 runs in the Asian Games Women's T20I Qualifier at Bayuemas Oval, Kuala Lumpur on Wednesday.
Nepal, who won the toss and chose to bat first, posted 125 for 5 in 20 overs. Puja Mahato anchored the innings with 63 runs off 57 balls, hitting six fours.
Nepal lost Samjhana Khadka early, but Puja added 37 runs with Sony Pakhrin for the second wicket. Sony made 18 off 24 balls before she was stumpped offf Wang Huiying.
Rubi Poddar then supported Puja with an unbeaten 22 off 25 balls. Rubina Chhetry finished the innings with a four from the final delivery.
Ma Ruike was China's pick of the bowlers with 2/26. Wang Huiying and Jiaping Li took one wicket each.
Chasing 126, China were restricted to 106/5. Captain Mingyue Zhu top-scored with 30 off 28 balls, while Wang Huiying made 21.
Riya finished with 2/18 from four overs. She dismissed Wang and Gong Yuting in the final over to close the match for Nepal.
Manisha Upadhayay, Kabita Kunwar and Puja also took one wicket each. Puja was named Player of the Match.
Nepal will next face Indonesia Women in Group B on Thursday.
