The last match of the five-match Twenty20 International bilateral series on Sunday will determine the winner after the visiting Nepal women’s cricket team crashed to a four-wicket defeat against hosts Malaysia in their fourth game on Saturday.

The series got tied 2-2 at the YSD-UKM Cricket Oval in Bangi after the visitors succumbed to their second defeat. Opting to bat first, Nepal were off to a shaky start and posted 96-7 before the home team scored 97-6 off the last ball of the innings.

Nepal lost top-order batters cheaply, including openers Kajal Shrestha (6 runs) and Sita Rana Magar (5 runs), Jyoti Pandey (1 run) and captain Rubina Chhetry (0) with only 18 runs on board. Indu Barma, who came in to bat at number four, then held her nerve to anchor the innings, scoring 32 runs off 31 balls. She struck three boundaries before being bowled by Winifred Duraisingam.

Number seven batter Bindu Rawal (24 runs off 26 balls) and Kabita Kunwar (not out 12 runs off 13) were the other Nepali players to score in double digits.

Malaysian all-rounder Duraisingam grabbed three wickets in her four-over spell, conceding 17 runs.

Chasing the target, Duraisingam – who came to open the innings – smashed 38 runs off 52 balls, laying the foundation for victory. She hit two boundaries before getting run out. Captain Mas Elysa contributed 13 runs off 18 balls and Mahirah Izzati Ismail scored 16 runs off 26. Nur Arianna Natsya also made a valuable contribution of unbeaten nine runs facing 15 deliveries.

Nepali bowlers Kunwar, captain Chhetry, Rana Magar and Kabita Joshi all picked up a wicket each.

Nepal Women Tour of Malaysia

YSD-UKM Cricket Oval, Bangi

Toss: Nepal, elected to bat first

Nepal 96-7 (20/20 overs)

I Barma 32 (31), B Rawal 24 (26)

W Duraisingam 4-1-17-3

Malaysia 97-6 (20/20 overs)

W Duraisingam 38 (52), M Ismail 16 (26)

Result: Malaysia won by four wickets

Player-of-the-match: W Duraisingam