Nepal national women’s cricket team defeated Sri Lanka Women Development Squad by two runs in their third T20 practice match in Surrey Village in Maggona on Tuesday.

Indu Barma’s team bundled out Sri Lanka Women Development Squad, who were chasing 113, for 110 in 19.5 overs, with Kabita Joshi taking 3-16 and Kritika Marasini returning the match figures of 2-16.

The win also prevented the host team from sweeping the three-match series. Nepal had lost the first T20 warm up game by 33 runs and the second by four wickets.

Balasuriya top scored for Sri Lanka Development Squad with 38 runs off 36 balls, while Nethranjali made 26 facing 20 deliveries.

Sri Lanka collapsed early when Kabita Kunwar trapped opener Karindi leg in front in the third over and Chhetri ran out Wijesinghe in the fourth over.

Balasuriya steadied the ship, and with support from Nethranjali, the host team looked destined for another victory.

But once Joshi dismissed Balasuriya in the 16th over and Nethranjali in the 18th, the Lankans’ hopes of completing a clean sweep faded.

Skipper Barma also took a wicket.

Earlier, Nepal posted 112-6 from 20 overs after choosing to bat first, thanks to Rubina Chhetri who revived Nepal’s innings after suddenly collapsing in the eighth over.

Samjhana Khadka (10 off 20) and Sita Rana Magar (15 off 23) added 31 runs for the opening wicket to give Nepal a good start.

Nepal found themselves in big trouble at 33-3 when they lost three quick wickets, including both openers, to Thennakone (2-21) in the eighth over.

Bindu Rawal and Barma offered some resistance but the skipper too fell in the 13th over that left Nepal reeling at 52-4.

But Chhetri partnered with Rawal to defy the Sri Lankan bowlers and guided Nepal past 100. Chhetri hit 37 runs off 26 balls, while Rawal contributed 20 off 31 balls.

The victory will be a huge boost for Nepal ahead of their ACC Women’s T20 Asia Cup, which is set to begin on July 19.

Nepal have been drawn in a tough group alongside the tournament’s most successful side and defending champions India, two-time runners up Pakistan and the United Arab Emirates.

Nepal, who are still looking to register their first win at the biennial competition, will open their Asia Cup against the United Arab Emirates on Friday. They face Pakistan on July 21 and India on July 23.

Nepal are making their third appearance at the Asia Cup.