The highly anticipated Women’s U19 Asia Cup is set to take place from December 15 to December 22 at the Bayuemas Cricket Oval in Malaysia. Nepal, fresh off their stellar performance in the ICC U19 Women’s T20 World Cup Asia Qualifier, has unveiled their squad for this prestigious event, showcasing a mix of consistency and fresh talent.
Nepal’s recent success in the ICC U19 Women’s T20 World Cup Asia Qualifier secured their spot in the 2025 global tournament. The team’s outstanding campaign saw them top their group with five victories out of six matches. Their most notable win came against UAE, where they chased down 84 runs in just 14.4 overs, surpassing UAE’s net run rate to emerge as champions.
In the 2025 ICC U19 Women’s T20 World Cup, Nepal will compete in Group D alongside Australia, Bangladesh, and Scotland, as 16 teams vie for the coveted title.
The Nepalese squad for the Asia Cup features a few adjustments from the lineup that participated in the World Cup Qualifier. Pooja Mahato will lead the team as captain, with Soni Pakhrin serving as her deputy. While key players like Mahato, Pakhrin, Sana Praveen, and Rachana Chaudhary retain their spots, some new names have been included for the Asia Cup.
Players such as Alisha Kumari Yadav, Trishana BK, Kiran Kumari Kunwar, and Anu Kadayat have been added to the squad, while Manisha Kumari Upadhyay has been left out this time.
Nepal’s U19 Women’s team demonstrated remarkable consistency during the Asia Qualifier. Skipper Puja Mahato led from the front, scoring an impressive 272 runs in six matches. She was supported by Sana Praveen, who contributed 143 runs, and Soni Pakhrin, who added 119 runs to the tally. Sabitri Dhami also chipped in with a valuable 70 runs.
On the bowling front, Rachana Chaudhary emerged as the standout performer, taking 10 wickets, including a four-wicket haul. Puja Mahato further highlighted her all-round skills with eight wickets, while Riya Sharma claimed nine scalps, with a best of 3 wickets in a single match. Seema KC and Krishma Gurung were also pivotal, bagging seven wickets each, with Gurung achieving an impressive four-wicket haul in just four matches.
The Women’s U19 Asia Cup will feature two groups. Nepal is placed in Group A alongside cricketing giants India and Pakistan. Group B comprises Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, and hosts Malaysia. The tournament kicks off with group-stage matches, followed by the fifth-place playoff on December 18. The top two teams from each group will advance to the Super Four stage on December 19 and 20, culminating in the final on December 22.
Nepal’s journey in Malaysia will undoubtedly serve as an excellent opportunity for their players to prepare for the 2025 U19 Women’s T20 World Cup and make a lasting mark on the international stage.
Nepal U19’s Squad for the Women’s Asia Cup:
Puja Mahato, Soni Pakhrin, Sana Praveen, Jyotsnika Marasini, Kusum Godar, Sabitri Dhami, Krishma Gurung, Riya Sharma, Rachana Chaudhary, Seemana KC, Sneha Mahara, Alisha Kumari Yadav, Trishana BK, Kiran Kumari Kunwar, and Anu Kadayat.
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