Nepal defeated Uganda by one wicket in the Women’s Day Cup, ending a nine-match losing streak. U-19 captain Puja Mahato was outstanding with three wickets and 16 runs. Nepal chased 76 runs, finishing at 19.5 overs, with Sana Praveen scoring 17 runs in her debut. The match showcased young talents and resilience from the Nepali women’s team.
Nepal achieved a remarkable 1-wicket victory against host Uganda in the Women’s Day Cup Twenty20 Series held in Entebbe, marking the end of their nine-match losing streak. The Nepali women’s team had not seen a win since defeating the UAE on July 19, 2024, in Sri Lanka. This victory is significant as it represents Nepal’s first win on African soil.
U-19 captain Puja Mahato played a pivotal role in the match, showcasing fantastic skills with both bat and ball. She received the ‘Player of the Match’ title for her impressive performance, which included taking three wickets and scoring 16 runs. Nepal opted to field first after winning the toss, effectively restricting Uganda to a modest score of 75 runs.
In their chase for a 76-run target, Nepal successfully completed the task in 19.5 overs, losing nine wickets in the process. Debutante Sana Praveen was the top scorer for Nepal, contributing 17 runs off 36 balls. She became the 38th player to represent the Nepali women’s national team, having earned her spot through impressive performances in the U-19 squad.
Puja Mahato’s contributions continued with the bat, scoring 16 runs off 29 balls. Former captain Rubia Chhetry supported the team by adding 10 runs, becoming one of three players to reach double digits. Other contributors included Ishwori Bist with 3 runs and Riya Sharma with 4 runs.
For Uganda, Janet Mbabazi was notable with three wickets, while Sarah Walaza claimed two wickets. Earlier, Immaculate Nakisuuyi was Uganda’s top scorer with 22 runs from 40 balls, complemented by Malisa Ariokot’s 11 runs off 24 deliveries and Stephanie Nampiina’s 14 runs off 25 balls. In bowling, Puja Mahato excelled for Nepal with three wickets, and Indu Barma had two wickets. Following this match, Nepal will face Hong Kong on Monday after a previous loss against Namibia.
Nepal’s victory against Uganda marked an end to their losing streak, thanks to strong performances from players like Puja Mahato and Sana Praveen. The match showcased intense competition, with Nepal successfully chasing the modest target imposed by Uganda. Looking ahead, Nepal’s next challenge will be against Hong Kong, as the team strives to continue their momentum in the Women’s Day Cup.
Original Source: risingnepaldaily.com
