Heartbreak at Kirtipur: Nepal Falls Agonizingly Short in T20 Qualifier Thriller
In a pulsating Group B encounter of the ICC Women’s T20 Global Qualifier at the TU Cricket Ground on Thursday, Nepal suffered a devastating two-run defeat at the hands of the Netherlands, leaving their Super Six aspirations hanging by a thread.
Chasing a competitive target of 141 runs, Nepal fought valiantly until the final delivery but could only manage 138/7 in their allotted 20 overs.
**The Final Over Drama**
The match boiled down to a nerve-wracking final over. Nepal required 13 runs to seal the victory, with two of their most experienced campaigners, Rubina Chhetri and Sita Rana Magar, at the crease.
Despite a valiant effort to manipulate the field and find the boundary, the duo could only squeeze 10 runs off the Dutch attack. The narrow loss was a bitter pill to swallow for a Nepali side that had already stumbled in their opening match against Thailand.
**A Familiar Middle-Order Collapse**
While the finish was tight, the game was arguably lost in the middle overs. After a decent start, with openers Bindu Rawal (18) and Samjhana Khadka (14) laying a foundation, the lineup faltered.
Following the first wicket at 22, Nepal lost their next four wickets for just 40 runs. This collapse placed immense pressure on the lower order. It took a captain's knock from Rubina Chhetri, who top-scored with a gritty 37 off 32 balls (5 fours), to resurrect the chase.
Late fireworks from Sita Rana Magar—who blasted 27 runs off just 12 balls (4 fours, 1 six)—brought Nepal to the brink of a miracle, but the Dutch bowlers held their nerve when it mattered most.
For the Netherlands, Iris Zwilling was the pick of the bowlers, claiming three crucial wickets to derail the hosts' momentum.
**Dutch Dominance Confirmed**
Earlier in the day, after winning the toss and electing to bat, the Netherlands posted a solid total of 140.
Captain Babette de Leede led from the front, anchoring the innings with a composed 49 runs. She was ably supported by Sterre Kalis (30) and an unbeaten 19 from Robine Rijke.
Nepal’s bowling unit had its moments, with Rubina Chhetri grabbing two wickets, while Suman Bist, Puja Mahato, and Riya Sharma chipped in with a wicket apiece. However, they couldn't prevent the Dutch from reaching a defendable total.
**The Road Ahead: Do or Die**
The result has implications that are contradictory for both sides.
The Netherlands: With three consecutive wins (having previously dispatched Zimbabwe and Scotland), the Dutch have officially booked their ticket to the Super Six stage.
Nepal: The path forward is now treacherous. To reach the Super Six, Nepal must not only win its remaining two matches but also rely on favorable results from other teams in the group.
**Nepal now faces a "do-or-die" showdown against Zimbabwe on Saturday. A loss there will result in immediate elimination from the tournament.**
