Bayuemas Cricket Oval in Kuala Lumpur witnessed one of the most thrilling contests of the ACC Women’s U19 Premier Cup 2026 as UAE Women U19 edged Nepal Women U19 in a Super Over after both sides finished level on 100 runs in a nail-biting encounter. The high-pressure contest had everything, early breakthroughs, crucial middle-order partnerships, a dramatic collapse, disciplined bowling performances from both teams, and a tense Super Over that eventually saw UAE advance to the final.
Batting first, UAE Women U19 endured a difficult start as Nepal’s bowlers consistently found breakthroughs. Openers Lavanya Keny and captain Samaira Dharnidharka negotiated the new ball carefully before putting together a 15-run opening partnership. Samaira struggled to get going and was dismissed for 2 off 11 balls, leaving UAE at 15/1 in 4.3 overs. Nepal struck again almost immediately as AL Maseera Jahangir managed only 1 from 6 deliveries, falling with the score at 16/2 in 5.4 overs. The pressure mounted when Vaishnave Mahesh contributed just 1 off 3 balls, reducing UAE to 17/3 after 6.2 overs. Despite the early setbacks, Lavanya held one end firmly and tried rebuilding the innings.
The innings gained momentum through a crucial rescue act from Mehul Pranav Kulkarni, who produced the best batting effort for UAE. Joining Lavanya, Mehul counter-attacked confidently and stitched together the innings after the top-order collapse. Lavanya made a patient 25 off 40 balls with three boundaries, while Mehul scored an impressive 30 from 29 deliveries, including four fours. Their stand carried UAE to 60 before Mehul became the fourth wicket to fall in the 14.1st over.
Shortly afterwards, Janani Thirukkumaran added 7 off 6 balls, but wickets continued to tumble as she departed at 72/5. Lavanya’s dismissal for a well-crafted 25 made it 73/6, and Mehak Thakur was dismissed for a duck to leave UAE struggling at 74/7. Emily Thomas scored just 1, while Afsha Afzal Khan and Sai Nikhil Thite contributed 2 runs each. Amid the collapse, Neha Kumari remained unbeaten on a valuable 19 off 11 balls, striking three boundaries to ensure UAE reached the competitive total of 100 all out in 19.5 overs.
Nepal’s bowling attack was outstanding throughout the innings. Anu Kadayat led the way with 3/22 in four overs, removing Janani, Emily Thomas and Lavanya Keny. Riya Sharma produced a superb spell of 3 wickets for just 8 runs in 3.5 overs, cleaning up the lower order with exceptional accuracy. Tirsana Bishwokarma claimed 2/17 from three overs, while Manisha Upadhayay chipped in with 1/15 in four overs. Although Rachana Kumari Chaudhary (0/21) and Sony Pakhrin (0/13) went wicketless, both kept the scoring under control during important phases.
Chasing 101, Nepal also found themselves in trouble despite beginning steadily. Sana Praveen and Sabitri Dhami shared a 21-run opening stand, but Sabitri was dismissed for 8 off 18 balls, making it 21/1 in 5.4 overs. Captain Sony Pakhrin managed only 3, while Anjila Pathak struggled for 6 from 19 deliveries, and Nepal slipped to 40/3. The innings received fresh life through Anu Kadayat, who played a positive knock of 20 from just 15 balls, striking two fours and a six. However, wickets continued to interrupt Nepal’s progress. Karuna Bista scored 4, while Alisha Kumari Yadav added a brisk 17 off 13 balls, keeping Nepal alive in the chase.
Lower-order contributions from Riya Sharma (4), Rachana Kumari Chaudhary (4) and Manisha Upadhayay (2) helped Nepal inch closer before they were eventually bowled out for 100 in exactly 20 overs, resulting in an extraordinary tie. The UAE bowlers matched Nepal’s effort with a disciplined display. Vaishnave Mahesh was the standout performer, returning remarkable figures of 3/12 in four overs by dismissing Anu Kadayat, Karuna Bista and Tirsana Bishwokarma.
Sai Nikhil Thite claimed 2/9 from three overs, while Janani Thirukkumaran bowled economically to finish with 1/15 in four overs. Mehak Thakur supported well with 1/22, while Samaira Dharnidharka, AL Maseera Jahangir and Afsha Afzal Khan maintained pressure through tidy spells. Sharp fielding also played a decisive role, with crucial run-outs further restricting Nepal’s chase.
With scores tied, the contest moved into a Super Over. Nepal batted first and managed 6/2, losing Sony Pakhrin and Anu Kadayat, both dismissed by Janani Thirukkumaran, while Sabitri Dhami remained unbeaten on 1. Chasing 7, UAE captain Samaira Dharnidharka showed remarkable composure under immense pressure, smashing an unbeaten 7 off just 3 balls, including the winning boundary. Alongside Neha Kumari, she guided UAE to 7 without loss in only three deliveries, sealing a memorable Super Over victory and UAE Women U19’s advancing to the final in dramatic fashion.
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