KATHMANDU:- Despite a maiden T20I half‑century from wicketkeeper‑batter Rubi Poddar, Nepal’s women’s cricket team fell short against the USA at the ICC Women’s T20I Challenge Trophy on Sunday.
Nepal slumped to a seven‑wicket defeat in their second meeting with the USA at the tournament in Kigali, Rwanda. They had earlier opened with a 44‑run loss to the same opponents.
With three defeats and two wins, Nepal sit third on four points. The USA top the table with eight points from four wins, hosts Rwanda are second with six, Italy are fourth on four, while Vanuatu prop up the standings with two.
Electing to bat first at Gahanga Cricket Stadium Oval B, Nepal posted 86 for six from their 20 overs. The USA chased down the target in just 11.5 overs, finishing on 89 for three.
Isani Vaghela anchored the reply with an unbeaten 35 off 29 balls, laced with five boundaries and a six. Opener Sainavi Kambalapalli (21), Pooja Ganesh (20) and Gargi Bhogle (12 not out) chipped in to seal the USA’s fourth win. Manish Upadhayay, Puja Mahato and Indu Barma claimed a wicket apiece for Nepal.
Earlier, Nepal endured a poor start as opener Samjhana Khadka fell for a golden duck, while fellow opener Binud Rawal departed in the fifth over for three. Vice‑captain Puja Mahato managed just eight from 27 deliveries before falling in the 11th over.
Two‑down Poddar was the lone batter to steady the ship, carrying her bat for a run‑a‑ball 51, her career‑best knock. She struck five fours and a six, registering Nepal’s ninth T20I fifty. Mahato has three half‑centuries to her name.
Kabita Joshi (1), skipper Indu Barma (8) and Kabita Kunwar (8) went cheaply, while Roma Thapa remained unbeaten on three.
For the USA, Maahi Madhavan and Ritu Singh shared four wickets, while Aditiba Chudasama and Sainavi Kambalapalli chipped in with one apiece to restrict Nepal to a modest total.