Nepal crashed out of the ACC Women’s Premier Cup at the quarter-final stage after suffering a 56-run defeat to Thailand in Kuala Lumpur on Wednesday.

After winning the toss at Bayuemas Oval, Thailand posted 130 for 4 in their allotted 20 overs before restricting Nepal to 74 for 7 in reply.

The defeat extended Nepal’s winless streak against Thailand, whom they have not beaten since 2011, and marked the latest setback in a difficult period for the national women’s team.

Nepal had reached the knockout stage after defeating Qatar by eight wickets and Bhutan by 51 runs in the group phase. However, a crushing 69-run loss to Hong Kong in their final group match left them facing tournament favourites Thailand in the quarter-finals.

In that match against Hong Kong, Nepal were bowled out for just 40 runs, the lowest total in the country’s women’s Twenty20 International history.

The Women’s Premier Cup disappointment comes shortly after Nepal failed to secure a place at the Asian Games. In the Asian Games women’s qualifiers, held just before the Premier Cup, Nepal missed out on a top-four finish. After losing to Malaysia in the semi-finals, they were beaten by China in the third-place play-off, their first-ever defeat against the Chinese side.

Against Nepal on Wednesday, Thailand built a competitive total thanks largely to an unbeaten 62 from wicketkeeper Nannapat Koncharoenkai. She struck six fours in a 51-ball innings.

Phannita Maya contributed 26 from 21 balls, including two boundaries, while Chanida Sutthiruang made 16 from 27 deliveries.

For Nepal, Rubina Chhetry, Riya Sharma and Kabita Kunwar claimed one wicket each. Chhetry conceded 11 runs in four overs, while Sharma and Kunwar gave away 28 and 31 runs respectively from their four-over spells.

Nepal’s chase never gained momentum.

Opener Rubi Poddar was dismissed for a duck in the second over, while fellow opener Samjhana Khadka made 11 from 11 balls, hitting two fours before departing in the third over.

Vice-captain Puja Mahato managed just two runs, and captain Indu Barma was out for seven as Nepal’s top order collapsed.

Sony Pakhrin was the only Nepal batter to reach double figures apart from Khadka. She scored 15 off 21 balls with two boundaries.

Kabita Kunwar made one, Kabita Joshi four, and Rubina Chhetry six, while Sita Rana Magar remained unbeaten on three.

Thailand’s bowlers shared the wickets evenly, with Thipatcha Putthawong, Sunida Chaturongrattana and Suleeporn Laomi among those taking two wickets each to seal a comfortable victory and a place in the semi-finals.