Nepal were in desperate need for a win on Saturday to keep their hopes alive in the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup Qualifier. However, their opponent, Zimbabwe, was not an easy one.

Zimbabwe, a Test nation, were also eager for the win as it was their last group-stage match of the Qualifier. They had lost the previous three matches to the Netherlands, Thailand and Scotland.

Even Nepal, the hosts, had suffered two straight defeats before the match against Zimbabwe. Nepal were defeated by Thailand and the Dutch side.

Thus, with two matches remaining, Nepal needed a win against Zimbabwe to stay in the race for the Super 6, where the top three teams from each of the two groups would progress. From the Super 6, the top four teams will book their ticket to the Women’s T20 main event in England and Wales later this year.

Partnership from Puja and Indu

Nepal women’s cricket head coach Harshal Jayant Pathak had praise for all of his players. “But among all, Puja and Indu had the best day,” Pathak said after a six-wicket win over Zimbabwe. “Their partnership was crucial today.”

Puja Mahato and Indu Barma, the vice-captain and captain of the team, respectively, were at the crease after Bindu Rawal (15 off 17) departed as the second wicket in 5.3 overs. With the team at 47/2, Mahato and Barma built a 35-run partnership for the third wicket before the skipper departed unluckily at 22 off 23.

Barma played a shot, but an edge saw the ball go up high and fall behind to hit the stumps.

Mahato could not build a partnership with Kabita Joshi (1 off 3) and Sita Rana Magar, but she finished the chase with Rubina Chhetry (2 off 2).

Zimbabwe had posted 129/6 in the first innings after being invited to bat first. In turn, Nepal reached 133 runs with three balls to spare.

Most fifties for Mahato

Mahato completed the chase in 19.3 overs with a four. And the boundary saw Mahato score her third T20I fifty. Further, it was her second half-century at the TU International Cricket Stadium.

“It was my second fifty at the TU Ground,” Mahato, with a wide smile, said in the post-match conference. “I had a bad day during the last match against the Netherlands. But I was motivated by the head coach and the captain alongside the fans. I came today believing that it was my day, and it came true.”

There had only been seven fifties registered by a Nepali woman cricketer before the match against Zimbabwe. Rubina Chhetry and Mahato had two each, while Barma, Magar and Samjhana Khadka had one each.

And with an anchoring knock of 52 off 50 against Zimbabwe, Mahato became the only Nepali woman cricketer to score three fifties in T20Is.

Mahato’s previous fifties were against the Maldives and the Netherlands.

The 62 not out against the Netherlands was at the TU Stadium during the tri-series comprising Thailand in February last year.

Magar’s 1,000 T20I runs

Magar, the player from the first batch of Nepali women’s cricket team, showed her abilities in the previous match against the Netherlands. She took Nepal close to the win, while the visitors won by 2 runs.

Her 27 off 12 was not sufficient for the win over the Dutch side, but it saw Magar reach 992 T20I runs. And on Saturday, she crossed the 1,000-run milestone, thanks to a drop catch at 5.

Nonetheless, Magar got injured after a collision with a Zimbabwe player and was rushed to the hospital. She was retired hurt at 11 off 15.

“I talked with the physio, and she said Sita was all right,” Pathak informed during the post-match conference.

Magar became the third Nepali cricketer to reach the milestone after Barma and Chhetry, who reached the milestone in Thursday’s match against the Netherlands.

With the win over Zimbabwe, Nepal now have two points and could finish as the top three teams if they defeat Scotland on Monday.

“We would have to win the match against Scotland in a calculated fashion as the net run rate will be the decider,” Mahato said. “We will be preparing accordingly.”

Scotland also have four points from three games.