The Nepali women’s cricket team entered the quadrangular series in Uganda with high ambitions but faced execution issues, recording four losses in five matches. Ranked third in the series according to ICC, they suffered a significant defeat against Uganda, finishing with one of their lowest scores in T20Is. Looking ahead, Nepal’s next match against Hong Kong is crucial for their standings in the tournament.
The Nepali women’s cricket team embarked on their journey to Uganda, aspiring to claim the quadrangular series title, as articulated by head coach Manoj Katwal. Despite being ranked as the third-best team in the series by the ICC’s Women’s Team T20I, with Namibia and Uganda ranked higher, Nepal encountered difficulties, culminating in four losses out of five matches.
During the series, Nepal faced a disappointing defeat at the hands of Uganda, who won by 40 runs. Nepal was limited to a mere 51 runs in response to Uganda’s total of 92, marking one of their lowest scores in T20Is. The team’s previous lowest records were 50 runs against Bangladesh in 2019 and Malaysia in 2023. The performance against Uganda fell short of expectations, particularly in the batting department.
Skipper Indu Barma acknowledged the team’s struggles, stating, “We did not play our best cricket, and I did not take the responsibility from the front.” The middle order failed to execute their game plan effectively, with only Barma and Kabita Joshi managing to score in double figures. Although the Nepali bowlers began strong, dismissing Uganda’s openers early, a partnership between Esther Iloku and Rita Musamali revived the hosts’ innings.
As the tournament progresses, Nepal’s final match in the league-stage structure is against Hong Kong, where they previously lost by a narrow margin of two runs. Currently, Namibia, Uganda, and Hong Kong each hold six points from five games, while Nepal lags with only two points from one victory against Uganda on March 9. This situation underscores their struggle to emerge as competitive contenders in the series.
In summary, the Nepali women’s cricket team’s journey in Uganda has been marred by execution challenges. Despite the high ambitions conveyed by the coaching staff, the inability to translate their potential into performance has resulted in continued losses. With one final match against Hong Kong remaining, the team must overcome their recent setbacks to restore hope and competitiveness in their campaign going forward.
Original Source: kathmandupost.com
