Nepal suffer heavy defeat despite Mahato’s unbeaten half-century
Netherlands openers Sterre Kalis, who scores 98 not out off 69 balls, and Phebe Molkenboer, with 48 not out off 49 balls, lead their team to a 10-wicket victory in Nepal Women T20I Tri-Series. Puja Mahato reacts after scoring a half-century against the Netherlands during the Nepal Women Tri-Series match at the TU Cricket Ground in Kirtipur on Wednesday. Hemanta Shrestha/TKP
Puja Mahato’s unbeaten half-century went in vain as Nepal slumped to a crushing 10-wicket defeat against the Netherlands in the Nepal Women T20I Triangular Series at the TU Cricket Ground in Kirtipur on Wednesday, extending their winless streak to five matches in the series.
Mahato scored a composed 62 not out off 51 balls to help Nepal post a good total of 145-4 from their allotted 20 overs—Nepal women’s highest T20I total at the TU Cricket Ground.
However, the Netherlands made light work of the chase, as Sterre Kalis delivered a batting masterclass with an unbeaten 98 off 69 balls, while her opening partner, Phebe Molkenboer, contributed a solid 48 not out off 49 deliveries. The Dutch cruised to victory in 19.4 overs without losing a wicket, sealing their third successive win over Nepal.
Opting to bat first after winning the toss, Nepal suffered early setbacks as Dutch bowler Iris Zwilling struck twice to remove openers Samjhana Khadka (6) and Mamta Chaudhary (1), leaving the hosts in trouble.
Netherlands’ Sterre Kalis and Phebe Molkenboer run between the wickets during the Nepal Women Tri-Series match against Nepal at the TU Cricket Ground in Kirtipur on Wednesday. Hemanta Shrestha/TKP
But Mahato, in tandem with skipper Indu Barma, stitched a crucial 78-run stand for the third wicket to stablise Nepal’s innings.
Barma scored 39 runs off 37 balls before falling to Caroline de Lange in the 13th over.
But Mahato remained undeterred by the loss of her skipper and continued to lead the charge, reaching her second career T20I half-century off 43 deliveries in the 17th over. She smashed five boundaries.
Rubina Chhetry assisted Mahato with a useful 20 runs off 17 balls before Heather Siegers accounted for her dismissal.
Kabita Joshi added a quick seven off six balls to guide Nepal to a respectable total.
The Dutch responded strongly in their chase, ensuring Nepal’s hopes of a breakthrough went unfulfilled despite the hosts deploying seven different bowlers in search for a wicket.
But Kalis and Molkenboer put on an unbroken 151-run opening stand, handing Nepal another defeat in the series.
Kalis cracked 11 fours and two sixes, while Molkenboer hit four boundaries.
The victory propelled the Netherlands to six points from five matches, two behind leaders and undefeated Thailand, who have two games in hand.
The Netherlands and Thailand meet on Thursday.
Meanwhile, Nepal remain at the bottom, still searching for a win. They play against Thailand in the last match of the series on Friday.
The team finishing atop the standings at the end of the triple round robin league will be crowned champions.
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