Nepal’s hopes of progressing in the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup Asia Qualifier were hanging by a thread after a crucial loss to Hong Kong earlier this week. A poor start against Bahrain on Thursday further signaled Nepal’s potential exit from the tournament.
However, a match-winning performance by captain Indu Barma revived Nepal’s campaign, keeping their qualification hopes alive.
Nepal’s fate then depended on the result of Friday’s match between Hong Kong and Bahrain. The game was washed out due to rain, and under ICC’s playing conditions, Nepal emerged fortunate beneficiaries.
Although Hong Kong remained unbeaten, it could not advance, finishing with only one win and three no-results. Nepal, despite losing to Hong Kong, registered two victories against Bahrain, earning five points—equal to Hong Kong’s tally, but surpassing them on the basis of more wins.
According to ICC’s double round-robin league rules, if teams are tied on points, the number of wins becomes the tiebreaker. Nepal had two wins from four matches, while Hong Kong managed just one.
Had Hong Kong won Friday’s game, it would have topped the group with six points and progressed. But with just one victory, their campaign ended.
Nepal now enters the Super 3 stage, where it will face stronger sides—UAE and Thailand—both of whom are ranked higher than Nepal. In the group stage, UAE and Thailand each secured two wins and had two no-results.
Nepal lost to Thailand three consecutive times at home just months ago. Though Nepal defeated UAE in the most recent Women’s Asia Cup, it had previously lost to them in the last World Cup Asia Qualifier.
With UAE in strong form and Thailand boasting World Cup experience, Nepal faces a formidable challenge ahead in its quest for qualification.
