Nepal entered the semi-final of the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup Asia Region Qualifier after they pulled off a fourth straight victory with a nine-wicket thumping over Qatar in Bangi, Malaysia, on Monday.

Indu Barma put up an all-round show for Nepal, who chose to bowl first. Player-of-the-match Barma claimed three wickets in the 17th over as they restricted Qatar at 74-4. In the run chase, Barma scored an unbeaten 20 runs off 12 as Nepal made 75-1 in 10.3 overs.

Having defeated hosts Malaysia, Bhutan and Bahrain in all their previous group stage games, Nepal confirmed the last four passage with a match in hand along with the United Arab Emirates (UAE), who have also maintained cent percent winning streak.

Nepal and the UAE both have eight points each but the Gulf nation occupy top position in the standings by virtue of a better run rate. The two sides will clash in the last group match on Wednesday to determine the table toppers. Meanwhile, Malaysia, Bhutan, Bahrain and Qatar have crashed out from the group rounds with a match in hand.

Qatar batter Saachi Dhadwal scored 21 runs off 44, the highest of the innings for Qatar, before she was trapped leg before by Barma. Opener Aleena contributed 15 runs while Angeline Mare was unbeaten on 14 runs.

Barma was the pick of Nepal’s bowling, claiming three wickets and conceding 10 runs in her four-over spell. Kabita Joshi and Puja Mahato pocketed one wicket each.

In Nepal’s run chase, opener Kajal Shrestha contributed 32 runs off 28 that included four hits to the fences. She also put up a 47-run partnership for the first wicket with Sita Rana Magar before Sabeeja Panjan bowled her out.

Rana Magar and Barma then paired for a winning partnership remaining unbeaten. Rana Magar contributed 17 runs off 23 while Barma cracked three hits to the fences in her 12-ball knock.

Rubina Chhetry-led Nepal and Qatar are likely to meet one among Hong Kong and Thailand, the two undefeated teams and top two sides of Group B, in the semi-final stage. The two finalists will qualify for the global qualifiers of the 2024 ICC Women’s T20 World Cup.