CHENNAI: Nepal’s women’s U19 cricket team, led by captain Puja Mahato, achieved a historic milestone by defeating the UAE to secure a spot in the ICC Women’s U19 T20 World Cup. This marks the first time a women’s cricket team from Nepal has qualified for an ICC event.

The decisive victory came in the final match of the qualifiers, where Krishma Gurung’s four-wicket haul restricted the UAE to 83 runs. Nepal chased the target comfortably, ensuring qualification based on a superior Net Run Rate.

Nepal’s journey was anything but easy. The competition’s format required all teams to play each other twice, with the top team advancing. A century by Mahato in a crucial match against Kuwait boosted Nepal’s Net Run Rate, proving instrumental in their qualification.

Veteran player Sita Rana Magar, who has been part of Nepal’s cricketing journey since 2007, expressed her joy. “It’s a dream come true for us women cricketers,” she said, applauding the team’s hard work and resilience.

The U19 team’s success also qualifies Nepal for the Women’s U19 Asia Cup in Malaysia, to be held before the World Cup. This achievement symbolizes a breakthrough moment for Nepalese women’s cricket.