Nepal U-19 women’s cricket team’s hopes to qualify for the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup 2023 ended after a 49-run drubbing by Thailand on Tuesday.

Nepal’s batting crumbled again as skipper Kritika Marasini’s side, who were chasing a target of 90 runs, were all out for 40 in 19.5 overs at the UKM-YSD Cricket Oval in Bangi.

Three days after a humiliating 10-wicket defeat against the United Arab Emirates at the same venue, where Nepal were all out for just eight, Nepal’s batting woes were exposed again as none of the batters reached double-digit figures.

Opener Anjali Bishowkarma was out for three runs. Sanu Rajbanshi, who displayed a player-of-the-match performance smashing 30 runs off 32 balls in a four-wicket win over Bhutan U-19 on Monday, was out for a duck.

Ashma Pulami Magar and Maneesha Rana also departed without scoring while Bishowkarma’s opening partner Sana Praveen was caught by Phannita Maya in the ninth over.

Anu Kadayat (5), Marasini (3), Manisha Upadhyay (3), Ranju Shrestha (1) and Sneha Mahara (1) all fell cheaply as Thailand poured cold water on Nepal’s already slimming chances of qualification for South Africa finals.

Shristi Jaisi, who came at number five, top scored for Nepal with not out seven facing 21 deliveries.

Thailand’s Nanthita Boonsukhham took 3-9 that included a maiden over. Pornnapha Saehoe and Thanyalak Chumnan took a wicket each.

A second defeat in four matches puts Nepal in third in the six-team ICC U-19 Women’s T20 World Cup Asia Qualifiers standings, meaning Nepal’s chances to reach the first edition of the U-19 Women’s World Cup are all but over. Nepal play hosts Malaysia in a dead rubber match Thursday.

The win gave unbeaten Thailand eight points from four matches and they sit second in the standings due to run rate despite having equal points with the UAE.

The UAE maintained a firm grip on the top with a 10-wicket win over winless Qatar U-19 women in Kuala Lumpur earlier today. The UAE remain the top favourite and have all but qualified for the January finals. They can secure their World Cup berth with a win over Thailand on Thursday.

Earlier, sent to bat first after losing the toss, opener Nannaphat Chaihan departed early for six, bowled out by Upadhyay, but her opening partner Banthida Leephatthana anchored the innings scoring 19 runs off 22 balls as Thailand posted 89 for seven in 20 overs.

Upadhyay also took the prized scalp of Leephatthana in the eighth over but Thipatcha Putthawong steadied the ship top scoring for Thailand with 20 before Marasini had her caught by Jaisi in the 13th over.

Suwanan Khiaoto was the other contributor with 16 runs.

Malaysia also registered their second win after beating Bhutan by eight wickets. Malaysia are fourth with four points.

Bhutan are still winless.