Nepal’s women’s cricket team have been eliminated from Asian Games Qualifier after a five-wicket defeat to China under the DLS method in the third-place play-off of the Asian Games Women’s T20 Qualifier in Kuala Lumpur on Sunday.

In a rain-affected match reduced to seven overs per side, Nepal were restricted to 50 for 5 after China opted to field first.

Nepal’s innings never settled after early damage, with Puja Mahato (1), Samjhana Khadka (5) and Rubi Poddar (0) all falling cheaply. Skipper Indu Barma made 11 off eight balls, while Sony Pakhrin retired out for 5.

Kabita Kunwar provided late resistance, striking an unbeaten 22 off 10 balls with a four and a six. Rubina Chhetry remained not out on three runs.

For China, Ma Ruike took two wickets, while Mingyue Zhu and Zhao Yihan grabbed a wicket apiece.

Chasing a revised target of 43, China reached 45 for 5 off seven overs, sealing victory off the final delivery. Cai Yuzhi held her nerve at the end with an unbeaten 11 off 13 balls.

Captain Mingyue Zhu top-scored with 18 off 13 balls and also took one wicket for 12 runs, earning the player of the match award. Riya Sharma was the pick of the Nepal attack with two wickets for three runs.

The result marked China’s first win over Nepal in the format, after Nepal had beaten them earlier in the group stage.

Nepal, who have featured consistently in Asian Games cricket since 2010, now miss out on qualification.