China Women held their nerve in a rain-curtailed encounter to defeat Nepal Women by five wickets via the DLS method in the third-place playoff of the Asian Games Women’s T20I Qualifier 2026 in Kuala Lumpur. In a match reduced to just seven overs per side, both teams were forced to adopt an aggressive approach from the outset, resulting in a contest packed with wickets, momentum swings, and crucial partnerships.
Batting first, Nepal Women endured a difficult start as China’s disciplined bowling attack struck early. The opening partnership between Samjhana Khadka (5) and Puja Mahato (1) added just seven runs before Ma Ruike provided the breakthrough, removing Mahato with the score at 7. Nepal’s troubles deepened almost immediately when Samjhana departed at 7/2, and captain Indu Barma saw another wicket tumble when Rubi Poddar was dismissed for a first-ball duck, leaving Nepal struggling at 7/3 inside three overs.
With wickets falling around her, Indu Barma attempted to rebuild the innings. She combined with Sony Pakhrin, who later retired out after scoring 5 runs, adding 13 valuable runs for the fourth wicket and taking Nepal to 20/4. Indu then accelerated, striking a boundary during her brisk 11 off 8 deliveries. However, just as Nepal appeared to be regaining momentum, Zhao Yihan removed the skipper at 20/4 in the fifth over.
The innings was rescued by a crucial unbeaten partnership between Kabita Kunwar and Rubina Chhetry. Kabita played the standout knock for Nepal, smashing 22 not out from just 10 balls, including a four and a six at a remarkable strike rate of 220.00. Rubina supported her with an unbeaten 3 from 4 deliveries as the pair added an unbroken 24-run stand for the sixth wicket, propelling Nepal to a competitive 50/5 in 7 overs. Extras also contributed three runs to the total.
China Women’s bowlers shared the workload effectively. Ma Ruike was the pick of the attack, returning impressive figures of 2/5 from 2 overs, accounting for both Nepal openers. Mingyue Zhu chipped in with 1/12 in 2 overs, while Zhao Yihan claimed the important wicket of Indu Barma despite conceding 11 runs. Wang Huiying delivered a tidy over for just seven runs, and Jiaping Li conceded 14 in her lone over without taking a wicket.
Chasing a revised DLS target of 43 runs from 7 overs, China Women suffered an early setback when Wang Huiying (2) and captain Mingyue Zhu (18) put together a promising opening stand of 24 runs. Zhu looked in excellent touch, striking three boundaries in her 13-ball innings and setting the tone for the chase. However, Nepal fought back brilliantly through Riya Sharma, who dismissed Wang Huiying and then removed the dangerous Zhu in consecutive overs. Between those wickets, Gong Yuting was run out for a duck, reducing China from a comfortable 24/0 to 24/3.
The pressure increased when Jiaping Li was run out for 1, leaving China at 27/4. Nepal sensed an opportunity as their bowlers and fielders tightened the screws. Nevertheless, Cai Yuzhi anchored the chase with a composed unbeaten 11 off 13 balls, while Wei Haiting contributed 5 runs in a partnership worth 13 runs for the fifth wicket. After Wei fell at 40/5, China required only a few more runs, and Chen Xinyu calmly finished the chase alongside Cai. The pair guided China to 45/5 in 7 overs, securing victory with no balls remaining.
Nepal’s bowlers fought hard despite defending a modest total. Riya Sharma delivered an outstanding spell of 2/3 in 2 overs, removing both openers and nearly turning the game in Nepal’s favour. Sarita Magar claimed 1/8 from her over, while Kabita Kunwar bowled economically, conceding only eight runs across two overs. Manisha Upadhayay remained wicketless but contributed with her two-over spell.
For her match-winning contribution at the top of the order, Mingyue Zhu was named Player of the Match. Her aggressive 18-run knock proved decisive in helping China Women overcome Nepal Women in a tense finish and secure third place in the Asian Games Women’s Qualifier 2026.
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