Semifinal 2: Malaysia Women vs Nepal Women - Squads, Preview and Live Streaming Details

Nepal Women have looked incredibly sharp and organized throughout the group stages of the Asian Games Women’s Qualifier 2026, playing a brand of fearless cricket that saw them comfortably top Group B, including a commanding victory over China. They look like a side that knows exactly how to pace a T20 innings. The hosts, Malaysia Women, bounced back brilliantly after an early setback against Thailand. Driven by home support, they put on a clinical, professional display against Hong Kong to seal their place in the final four, setting up a fascinatingly poised encounter.

Squads:

Malaysia Women’s Cricket Team

Elsa Hunter, Mas Elysa, Nazatul Hidayah Husna, Ainna Hashim, Amalin Sorfina, Mahirah Izzati, Nur Izzatul Syafiqa, Suabika, Aina Najwa, Wan Julia, Aisya Eleesa, Marsya, Nazwah, Nur Dania Syuhada

Nepal Women’s Cricket Team

Indu Barma (C), Puja Mahato (VC), Suman Bist, Rachana Chaudhary, Rubina Chhetry, Kabita Joshi, Anu Kadayat, Samjhana Khadka, Kabita Kunwar, Rubi Poddar (WK), Bindu Rawal, Riya Sharma, Roma Thapa, Manisha Upadhayay

Players to watch out:

Mas Elysa

Mas Elysa has done a solid job anchoring the middle phases of the game, accumulating 47 runs from her two trips to the crease. Remaining unbeaten once, she averages a healthy 47.00 with a top score of 45* that nearly took her through the innings. She played a calculated role with a strike rate of 71.21, focusing on rotating the strike and hitting 4 boundaries when the opportunity presented itself.

Puja Mahato

Puja Mahato has been a prominent force with the bat, striking 72 runs across her two innings at an average of 36.00. Her tournament highlight has been a well-crafted knock of 63, where she showed great maturity in pacing her innings. Scoring at a strike rate of 104.34 and finding the fence 8 times, she has provided her side with both stability and crucial momentum.

Also Read: Thipatcha Putthawong stars as Thailand registers 4th straight win in Tri-series

Ainna Hamizah Hashim

Ainna Hamizah Hashim has been the standout bowler of the tournament so far, sitting comfortably at the top of the wicket-taking charts with 5 scalps to her name. She has bowled with remarkable precision over her 7 overs, maintaining a brilliant economy rate of 3.00 and leaking only 21 runs. Her sensational best figures of 3/9 have helped her achieve a spectacular bowling average of 4.20 and a strike rate of 8.40.

Manisha Upadhyay

Manisha Upadhyay has been incredibly difficult for opposition batters to score against, conceding a meager 20 runs from her full quota of 8 overs. She has picked up 3 wickets in her two matches, boasting a brilliant, best bowling performance of 2/9. With an exceptional economy rate of 2.50, she has consistently built-up pressure at one end, resulting in an average of 6.66 and a wicket every 16 balls.

Pitch:

The pitch at Bayuemas Oval in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, is generally considered balanced but tends to favor batsmen with good stroke play due to its true bounce and even pace. Spinners can also be effective later in the game as the pitch tends to offer some turn as it wears.

Weather:

Expect a hot and humid day tomorrow with temperatures peaking around 34°C (93°F) alongside mostly overcast skies. The conditions promise a complete, uninterrupted game of cricket.

Fantasy Playing XI:

Elsa Hunter, Mas Elysa, Ainna Hashim, Mahirah Izzati, Nur Dania Syuhada, Indu Barma, Puja Mahato, Kabita Joshi, Samjhana Khadka, Kabita Kunwar, Manisha Upadhayay