Nepal begin ICC Women’s T20I Challenge Trophy with loss

Nepal's campaign in the ICC Women’s T20I Challenge Trophy has commenced with a disappointing 44-run defeat against the United States of America (USA) in Kigali, Rwanda. Entering the tournament as the highest-ranked team among the five participants, the expectation was for a strong start, but the team, led by Indu Barma, failed to meet those aspirations in their opening match.

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Nepal were entering the tournament to win the title.

The toss favored Nepal, who elected to field first. Their bowlers managed to restrict the USA to a chaseable total of 123/6 in their allotted 20 overs, with Manisha Upadhyaya taking two wickets, supported by Kabita Kunwar and Riya Sharma with one each. Notable contributions from the USA's Pooja Ganesh (47), Gargi Bhogle (34), and Chetna Pagydyala (30) were the mainstays of their innings.

However, Nepal's batting lineup collapsed under pressure. The chase began disastrously with the fall of the first wicket on the third ball of the very first over, and wickets continued to tumble. Despite Bindu Rawal's top-scoring 27 and Kabita Joshi's 11, no other batter reached double figures. The team was ultimately bowled out for 79/9 in 20 overs, falling significantly short of the target.

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Pooja Ganesh (47 off 49), Gargi Bhogle (34 off 27) and Chetna Pagydyala (30 off 37) troubled Nepal with the bat.

This loss, while a setback, does not extinguish Nepal's hopes. The tournament follows a double round-robin format, meaning Nepal will face each of their opponents, including the USA, Italy, hosts Rwanda, and Vanuatu, twice. This structure provides ample opportunity for the team to regroup, analyze their performance, and secure the necessary wins to advance. Captain Indu Barma, who returned from injury, had expressed confidence in the team's ability to win the title, and the remaining matches will be crucial in demonstrating that resolve.

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But when Nepal lost the first wicket in the third ball of the very first over, the fall of wickets did not stop.

For Nepali cricket, this tournament represents a vital platform for growth and exposure on the international stage. While the opening loss is a stark reminder of the competitive nature of international cricket, the team's resilience and ability to bounce back will be closely watched by fans back home. The focus now shifts to their next match against Italy, where a much-improved performance will be essential.

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Bindu Rawal top-scored with 27 off 45, and Kabita Joshi (11 off 20) was the only other to score in double figures for Nepal.