In a significant move aimed at strengthening Nepal’s women’s cricket, Manish Jha has been appointed as the consultant coach, leading the team until the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup Asia Qualifiers in May 2025. A seasoned coach with vast experience, Jha has previously guided teams like Sikkim and Uttarakhand, earning recognition for his expertise in player development.
He played a crucial role in shaping Aakash Madhwal, the former Mumbai Indians pacer who now represents Rajasthan Royals. Jha took over Uttarakhand’s coaching reins during the 2020-21 domestic season and worked diligently on Madhwal’s mental fortitude, helping him improve his focus and resilience.
Nepal’s women’s cricket team has been making strides in the T20I circuit, having played 70 matches so far with an impressive tally of 41 victories. Their journey began with a debut T20I match against China on January 12, 2019, in Bangkok. The team quickly gained momentum, stringing together four consecutive wins before securing their first loss against Thailand.
Earlier this year, Nepal participated in a gripping T20I tri-series held in Kirtipur, featuring Thailand and the Netherlands. Despite few spirited performances, Nepal fell just short on multiple occasions, finishing third in the tournament with six straight losses, while Thailand clinched the title with five victories and Netherlands managed four wins.
Nepal’s batting prowess was highlighted by Puja Mahato, who emerged as the top run-scorer with 134 runs in six matches, her highest being an unbeaten 62. On the bowling front, Manisha Upadhayay was a standout performer, leading the wickets tally with seven dismissals, including a best of 3/18.
Most recently, Nepal tested their mettle in a high-stakes Quadrangular series featuring Uganda, Namibia, and Hong Kong. However, the competition proved to be a challenging outing for them, as they managed just two wins from six games, while Uganda dominated the tournament with four victories.
Despite the team’s struggles, Puja Mahato once again stood out as the leading run-getter for Nepal, amassing 90 runs with a top score of 20*. Versatile all-rounder Indu Barma also made an impact, scoring 84 runs while showcasing her bowling prowess by emerging as Nepal’s highest wicket-taker with eight scalps from six matches.
With Manish Jha at the helm, Nepal’s women’s cricket team looks poised to refine their game and make a strong push towards the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup Asia Qualifiers.
Loves all things female cricket
