Nepal secured a 67-run victory over Japan in the ongoing Hong Kong Women’s T20I Quadrangular Series held at the Hong Kong Cricket Club in Wong Nai on Saturday.

Sent to bat first, Nepal posted a target of 114 runs at the loss of four wickets in the stipulated 20 overs. In response, Japan were restricted to a meagre 46 runs.

Opener and wicketkeeper Akari Kano was sent for a golden duck while her opening partner Hinase Goto was also dismissed cheaply for a 14-ball 3 in 4.3 overs.

Seika Sumi contributed 13 runs facing 16 deliveries before being bowled out by Sangita Rai in 12.1 overs.

Japan’s last pair of Meg Ogawa (17) and Kiyo Fujikawa (2) stuck to the crease with a 20-run last wicket stand that pushed the game to final over. Ogawa was run out by Kajal Shrestha in the final ball of the match.

Apart from Seika Sumi and Meg Ogawa, none of the Japanese batters managed to score in double digits.

Nepal’s Rai shone with the ball, as she grabbed five Japanese scalps, giving away just six runs in her 4-over spell. Puja Mahato and Asmina Karmacharya also picked two wickets each.

Nepal national women’s cricket team crashed out of the race to the tournament finals after they lost to hosts Hong Kong by nine wickets in Wong Nai on Thursday.

A second loss in as many games in the series put Nepal third in the four-team table without a point. Nepal had lost to Tanzania by 27 runs on Wednesday.