Poor batting and game management by Hong Kong, especially their senior players, saw Nepal survive a nail-biting finish to beat the hosts by 6 runs and draw level in second-placed in the ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup -Asia Qualifiers on four points.
Batting first, Nepal’s innings was salvaged by number eight batter and eventual Player of the Match Karuna Bhandari. Her 19 not out, off 27 balls in the last six overs of the innings proved to be the difference. Indu Barma’s 15 in the first half of the innings was also crucial to Nepal’s 75 runs in total.
Hong Kong’s spinner Ka-Man Chan picked up where she left off before the rest day, taking for 3/11. Keenu Gill was also a consistent performer with 2/9.
Hong Kong’s response started off well with opener Ka-Ying Chan’s 18 off 21 and Keenu Gill’s 10 off 19. Captain Mariko Hill scored 13 off 16 from number 5. But Hong Kong collapsed going from 33/1 to 58/9. After an elaborate celebration of Mariko Hill’s wicket – who was out looking to smash the ball around, when with Hong Kong’s required run-rate at less than three an over all that was needed was for her to milk the singles, rotate the strike and stay there till the end – Nepal’s bowlers calmed themselves and finally picked up the last wicket with two overs and two balls left.
Karuna Bhandari was the top wicket taker with 3/17, capping an all-round performance.
“It was disappointing today. I thought we bowled and fielded really well. We just panicked on the bat. It was uncharacteristic of the girls today,” said Hong Kong Women’s Coach Charlie Burke.
“Credit to Nepal, they kept fighting and fought really well. It shows how close this competition is. These are four sides which competed very well over the last six years. We are going to play China (tomorrow) who are very confident after their win today. Last game against Thailand, so it will be interesting to see the Thailand versus Nepal game tomorrow. We can only control what we can do and see what happens,” added Burke.
Both matches tomorrow will be played at Hong Kong Cricket Club, with Thailand vs Nepal at 9:30 am and China vs Hong Kong at 2:00 pm. Entry is free.
Match Summary
Nepal 75/8 (20 overs)
Hong Kong 69 all out (17.4 overs)
Nepal Women won by 6 runs
Scorecard: www.espncricinfo.com/hkg/content/team/19.html
Additioanl reporting and image: HK Cricket Association