Nepal Women continued their impressive run in the Asian Games Women’s Qualifier 2026 with a composed 19-run victory over China Women in Kuala Lumpur, thanks to a brilliant half-century from Puja Mahato and a disciplined bowling performance led by Riya Sharma. The contest saw Nepal recover strongly after an early setback before their bowlers successfully defended the target with controlled spells and timely breakthroughs in the second innings.
The innings began on a shaky note for Nepal Women as Samjhana Khadka fell in just the opening over. Attempting to attack early, she struck a boundary in her brief stay but was dismissed by Ma Ruike for four runs, leaving Nepal at 4/1. Despite the early wicket, Puja Mahato immediately settled the innings with calmness and maturity. She first rebuilt alongside Sony Pakhrin, and the pair stitched together a crucial 37-run partnership for the second wicket. Sony contributed a steady 18 from 24 deliveries, finding the boundary twice while rotating strike effectively against China’s disciplined bowling attack.
China Women managed another breakthrough in the seventh over when Sony Pakhrin was stumped off Wang Huiying, reducing Nepal to 41/2. However, Puja Mahato continued to anchor the innings brilliantly. Kabita Kunwar joined her at the crease, and together they added 15 important runs before Kabita was trapped lbw by Jiaping Li for five. Nepal slipped to 56/3 after 10.2 overs, and China sensed an opportunity to restrict the scoring in the middle overs.
Puja Mahato, though, played one of the finest knocks of the tournament so far. Displaying excellent composure and timing, she gradually accelerated while maintaining control over the innings. Rubi Poddar provided valuable support from the other end as the duo built a vital 64-run partnership for the fourth wicket. While Rubi remained unbeaten on 22 from 25 balls with one boundary, Puja dominated the stand with elegant strokeplay through the off-side and clever placement into the gaps. She eventually scored a superb 63 from 57 deliveries at a strike rate above 110, including six boundaries.
Her dismissal in the penultimate over, run out while attempting a quick second run, ended a match-defining innings and left Nepal at 120/4. Nepal suffered another minor setback when captain Indu Barma was dismissed for a first-ball duck by Ma Ruike in the final over, but Rubina Chhetry’s unbeaten four off a single ball helped Nepal finish at 125/5 from their 20 overs. The total looked competitive on a surface where stroke-making was not entirely straightforward.
China Women’s bowling attack showed discipline for large phases despite Puja Mahato’s dominance. Ma Ruike was the most successful bowler with figures of 2/26 from four overs, dismissing both Samjhana Khadka and Indu Barma. Wang Huiying bowled economically and picked up the important wicket of Sony Pakhrin, conceding only 22 runs in her four-over spell. Jiaping Li also chipped in with a wicket, while Mingyue Zhu and Zhao Yihan kept things relatively controlled in the middle overs. China’s bowlers managed to prevent Nepal from completely breaking free during the death overs despite the strong fourth-wicket stand.
In reply, China Women started cautiously in pursuit of 126. Jiaping Li and Wei Haiting attempted to build a platform through a measured 30-run opening partnership. Nepal’s bowlers maintained tight lines, refusing to offer easy scoring opportunities. Jiaping Li made 15 from 24 balls before becoming the first wicket to fall, caught by Rubi Poddar off Puja Mahato’s bowling in the seventh over.
Wei Haiting and captain Mingyue Zhu then steadied the innings with another useful partnership worth 29 runs. Wei battled hard for her 18 from 26 deliveries before Kabita Kunwar broke the stand in the 12th over. At 59/2, China still remained within touching distance of the target, especially with Mingyue Zhu beginning to find momentum. The skipper played positively and scored 30 from 28 balls, including two boundaries, while Wang Huiying supported well with 21 from 28 deliveries.
The defining phase of the chase came during the final five overs when Nepal Women’s bowlers tightened the pressure brilliantly. Mingyue Zhu and Wang Huiying added 43 runs for the fourth wicket to keep China in the contest, but Nepal struck at exactly the right moments. Riya Sharma produced a superb spell under pressure and removed Wang Huiying for 21 in the 20th over after already dismissing Gong Yuting earlier in the innings. Gong managed only three runs before being stumped by Rubi Poddar. Riya Sharma finished with excellent figures of 2/18 from four overs and deservedly claimed the Player of the Match award for her match-turning spell.
Kabita Kunwar also impressed with 1/15 from four economical overs, while Manisha Upadhayay delivered one of the tightest spells of the game, conceding just 11 runs and taking the wicket of Mingyue Zhu. Puja Mahato contributed with a wicket as well, while Seemana KC, Rubina Chhetry, and Sita Rana Magar supported effectively to ensure China Women never gained full control of the chase.
China Women eventually closed on 106/5 from their 20 overs, falling 19 runs short despite a determined effort from the middle order. The victory further strengthened Nepal Women’s reputation in the Asian Games Women’s Qualifier 2026, with standout performances from Puja Mahato and Riya Sharma highlighting the side’s growing balance in women’s T20 cricket.
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