Malaysia booked their place in the final of the Asian Games Women’s Qualifier with a nervy two-wicket victory over Nepal at the Bayuemas Oval in Kuala Lumpur on Friday. Chasing 127 for victory, the hosts appeared to be cruising thanks to a blistering innings from Elsa Hunter before a dramatic collapse brought Nepal roaring back into the contest. Malaysia eventually crossed the line at 127 for 8 in 18.4 overs, securing victory with eight balls to spare.
The win was set up by Hunter, whose breathtaking 48 off just 24 deliveries earned her the Player of the Match award. The aggressive top-order batter smashed 10 fours and a six, striking at 200, and broke the Malaysian women’s WT20I record for most runs scored in boundaries in an innings, with 46 of her 48 runs coming through fours and sixes.
Nepal won the toss and opted to bat first but found scoring difficult during the opening phase of the innings. Malaysia struck early when Samjhana Khadka was run out for 2, and the pressure increased as Winifred Duraisingam removed both Puja Mahato and Sony Pakhrin in quick succession. Mahato scored 15(23) while Pakhrin managed 6(8), leaving Nepal struggling at 27 for 3 at the end of the powerplay.
Captain Indu Barma then steadied the innings with a composed knock, anchoring Nepal’s recovery through the middle overs. Rubi Poddar contributed 17 from 22 deliveries before Mahirah Izzati Ismail dismissed her, but Barma continued to hold the innings together. With boundaries hard to come by, Nepal reached only 58 for 4 after 13 overs and were still searching for momentum. That momentum finally arrived late in the innings through Kabita Kunwar.
After Sita Rana Magar retired out for 5(8), Kunwar produced a stunning cameo of 33 from just 15 balls, hammering 4 fours and a six at a strike rate of 220. Her late striking lifted Nepal to a competitive 126-6 from their 20 overs. Barma remained unbeaten on 46 off 41 balls, striking 5 boundaries in a captain’s innings. Malaysia’s bowlers shared the workload effectively. Duraisingam was the standout performer with figures of 2/18 from four overs, while Mahirah Izzati Ismail claimed 1/12 from two overs. Aisya Eleesa also chipped in with 1/24, helping keep Nepal below the 130-mark despite the late flourish.
The chase began poorly when Duraisingam fell for a duck in the first over, but Hunter immediately seized control. She attacked from the outset and, together with Ainna Hamizah Hashim, who made 18(18). Malaysia raced to 55 for 1 in the powerplay and crossed 70 before Hunter’s dismissal in the eighth over. Although captain Mas Elysa managed only 6(4), Malaysia still looked firmly in command as Mahirah Izzati Ismail added 14(18) and Dhanusri Muhunan contributed a valuable 21(29). At 115 for 4, the hosts required only 12 more runs and appeared certain to finish the chase comfortably.
Nepal however, refused to surrender. Leg-spinner Riya Sharma sparked a collapse with an excellent spell of 3/20 from three overs, removing Mahirah, Muhunan and Nur Dania Syuhada. Rubina Chhetry supported brilliantly with 2/21, while Sita Rana Magar returned 1/20 from 3.4 overs. Malaysia suddenly slipped from 115 for 4 to 117 for 8, reviving Nepal’s hopes of a remarkable comeback. With the pressure mounting, Wan Julia and Nur Qalysha held their nerve. Julia finished unbeaten on 6 from 4 balls and struck the winning boundary, while Qalysha remained not out as Malaysia reached 127 for 8 and sealed their place in the final.
Despite Nepal’s spirited fightback, Hunter’s explosive innings at the start proved decisive as Malaysia survived a tense finish to continue their quest for qualification in the continental tournament. Malaysia will face off against Thailand who beat China earlier in the first Semi-Final.
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