Indu Barma keeps Nepal alive in super three race

By Cricketing Country | Posted Posted May 15, 2025

Nepal keep their super three hopes alive with a six-wicket DLS win over Bahrain in the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup Asia Qualifier on Thursday, while Bahrain's loss confirmed their exit from the tournament.

After electing to bat first at the Terdthai Cricket Ground in Thailand, Bahrain posted 76 runs in 12.4 overs before rain intervened, setting Nepal a revised target of 56 runs in seven overs.

Bahrain's innings was anchored by a 36-run stand for the second wicket between former Sri Lankan player and current Bahrain captain Deepika Rasangika and Rasika Rodrigo. Tharanga Gajanayake set the tone early with a run-a-ball 12 before being run out by Kabita Kunwar.

Rasika Rodrigo top-scored with a 29-ball 24, hitting three boundaries, while Deepika Rasangika added 23 off 27 with two fours, taking Bahrain to 76/3 in 12.4 overs. All three Bahrain wickets fell to run-outs, with Nepal bowlers creating chances but missing opportunities due to dropped catches.

Nepal's fielding lapses were notable, with wicketkeeper Rubi Poddar dropping Tharanga Gajanayake on eight in the third over, while Deepika Rasangika was given two lives — first dropped by Rubina Chettry on three and later by Puja Mahato on 15.

Chasing 56 in seven overs after the rain, Nepal's chase started shakily. They lost Samjhana Khadka to a run-out in the first over, followed by Rubi Poddar and Kabita Joshi in the second, and Puja Mahato in the fourth, leaving them struggling at 24/4 after four overs with 32 needed off 18 balls.

Skipper Indu Barma stepped up, attacking from the outset. She hammered Tharanga Gajanayake for three consecutive boundaries in the fifth over, swinging momentum back to Nepal.

The sixth over, bowled by Zayneb Fazli, began with a misfield by wicketkeeper Ashwini Govinda, conceding four crucial runs as byes. Indu Barma then struck a six and a four in the third and fourth deliveries, sealing the win for Nepal.

Indu Barma was named Player of the Match for her unbeaten 24 off seven balls, which featured four boundaries and a six.

Pavithra Shetty was Bahrain standout bowler, picking up 3 for 10 in her two overs.

Nepal's qualification hopes for the super three now hinge on Bahrain result against Hong Kong-China. Bahrain winning on Friday will see Nepal through with five points from four matches. A no-result will also allow Nepal to qualify based on more wins, as the number of wins is the tie-breaker before Head-to-Head and Net Run Rate, according to the ICC Playing Conditions. Hong Kong-China winning the match will eliminate Nepal, sending Hong Kong-China to the next stage with six points from four matches.