Nepal lost their opening game of the Women’s Day Cup against Namibia on Saturday. Hosts Uganda defeated Hong Kong in another match of the day.

Nepal won the toss and elected to bat first against Namibia at Entebbe Cricket Oval, posting a paltry total of 92. It was the first time that Nepal faced Namibia in women’s cricket.

Opener Samjhana Khadka (18 off 11), teenager Puja Mahato (13 off 20), in-at-six Kabita Joshi (16 off 31) and in-at-ten Ishwari Bist were the only batters to score in double figures for Nepal. Bist stayed not out at 17 off 14.

Wilka Mwatile and Mekelanye Mwatile were the biggest headaches for Nepal as the duo took three wickets each in their four over spell. They were also economical, giving away only 17 runs and 12 runs, respectively.

If Nepal’s total, which included 15 runs from extras, was already difficult to defend across 20 overs, it got more so when the total was amended as per the DRS rule after rain affected Namibia’s batting when they were at 39/1 in eight overs.

The target was reduced to 71 runs in 15 overs when the match resumed. And Namibia chased it with two balls and six wickets remaining.

Mekelanye, who bagged three wickets, was also the highest scorer for Namibia, contributing 26 off 35 before departing as the second wicket in 9.1 overs. In-at-six Jurriene Diergaardt stayed until the end and ensured the win for Namibia adding 13 off 7.

Mahato, Joshi, skipper Indu Barma and Bist bagged one wicket each for Nepal, which was insufficient in the end.

Before leaving for Uganda, Barma and coach Manoj Katwal had said that they looked forward to winning the series. Despite the early setback, they can still go on to win the series as they have five games remaining in the tournament played across a double round-robin format.

Nepal face Uganda and Hong Kong on March 9 and 10, respectively, before the second round begins with Nepal vs Namibia on March 12.