Nepal failed to realise their ambition of qualifying in the global qualifiers of the Women’s World Twenty20 after they lost to Thailand by 46 runs in the semi-final of the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup Asia Region Qualifier in Bangi, Malaysia, on Friday.

Sent in to bat first after losing the toss, Thailand posted 105-2 before bowling Nepal out for a meagre total of 59 runs in 19.3 overs.

Only the two finalists will be eligible for a global qualifier from the tournament, meaning Thailand and United Arab Emirates (UAE), who beat Hong Kong by 57 runs in another semi-final, have progressed to the final qualifier.

After losing opener Suwanan Khiaoto on two runs in the first over, her opening partner Nannapat Koncharoenkai slammed an unbeaten half century. The player-of-the-match scored 59 runs off 63 balls studded with four hits to the fence. She also shared a 68-run partnership for the second wicket with Nattahakan Chantham, who contributed 31 runs off 45 balls.

Chantam struck two hits to the boundary before wicket keeper Kajal Shrestha caught her off a delivery by Puja Mahato. Chanida Sutthiruang contributed 11 runs, remaining not out.

Mahato and Kabita Kunwar, who removed opener Khiaoto, were the only Nepali bowlers who were successful, claiming a wicket each. Kunwar conceded 17 runs in her four-over spell and Mahato gave away 20 runs in her three overs of bowling.

Nepal were off to a miserable start in their run chase and lost top order batters including openers Kajal Shrestha (0) and Sita Rana Magar (4), Indu Barma (3) and the captain Rubina Chhetry (0) with just eight runs on the board.

Batting at number eight, Kabita Kunwar contributed an unbeaten 17 runs off 20 balls that included two hits to the boundaries. Middle order batter Kabita Joshi and Apsari Begam were other players to contribute double-digit scores for Nepal, both scoring 10 runs each.

Thai bowlers Onnicha Kamchomphu and Thippatcha Putthawong grabbed three wickets each while Nattaya Boochatham picked up two wickets. Kamchomphu conceded six runs in her three oversl while Putthawong gave away five runs in 3.3 overs while bowling a maiden over.

Thailand and UAE will play in the final on Saturday.