Nepal’s national women’s cricket team recorded their first-ever victory over a Test-playing nation, defeating Zimbabwe by six wickets in the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup Global Qualifier on Saturday.

After losing the toss and being sent in to bat, Zimbabwe posted 129 for six in their allotted 20 overs at the Tribhuvan University International Cricket Ground in Kirtipur. Nepal chased down the target with three balls to spare, reaching 133 for four, thanks largely to an unbeaten half-century from vice-captain Pooja Mahato.

Pooja scored 52 not out off 50 balls, hitting four fours and two sixes, anchoring the chase after early wickets. Nepal benefited significantly from Zimbabwe’s erratic bowling, collecting 20 runs in extras, including 17 wides.

Smriti Khadka made nine off seven balls, while Bindu Rawal scored 15 off 17 balls. Captain Indu Barma and Pooja then added a crucial 35-run partnership for the third wicket. Indu scored 22 off 23 balls with two fours and a six before being bowled by Josephine Nkomo.

Kabita Joshi was dismissed for one, while Sita Rana Magar retired hurt on 11, reaching the milestone of 1,000 runs in women’s T20 internationals. She became only the third Nepali woman to achieve the feat after Indu Barma and Pooja Mahato. Rubina Chhetri remained unbeaten on two.

Earlier, Kelly Dhlovu top-scored for Zimbabwe with an unbeaten 52 off 36 balls, including eight fours. Opener Beloved Biza contributed 34, while Modester Mupachikwa added 14. Zimbabwe skipper Chipo Mugeri-Tiripano was dismissed for eight.

For Nepal, Riya Sharma claimed two wickets, conceding 25 runs in four overs. Kabita Kunwar, Sita Rana Magar, Rubina Chhetri and Pooja Mahato took one wicket each.

The victory keeps Nepal’s slim hopes of advancing to the Super Six alive and marks their first win in the Global Qualifier, having earlier lost to Thailand and the Netherlands. Zimbabwe, meanwhile, suffered their fourth straight defeat in the group stage, having also lost to the Netherlands, Thailand and Scotland.