Nepal, led by skipper Binita Pun, were up against Pakistan, led by skipper Nimra Rafique, in the 2nd semi-final at the P Sara Oval, Colombo. Nepal were the next best side in the Women’s T20 World Cup for the Blind, after India, as they secured four out of their five games in the league stages of the tournament. Their only defeat in the league stages came against India.
The Pakistani openers, Maryam Jahangir and Mehreen Ali, got their side off to a promising start with a 36-run opening partnership after skipper Binita Pun won the toss and inserted them to bat first. A run-out ended wicket-keeper batter Maryam Jahangir’s (17 off 15 balls) stay at the crease to provide the 1st breakthrough for Nepal in the 5th over of the innings. Laxmi Lama sent Rimsha Shabir back to the pavilion in the 8th over of the innings to provide the 2nd breakthrough for her side.
Bushra Ashraf joined opening batter Mehreen Ali at the crease, and the duo stitched a crucial 82-run partnership for the 3rd wicket, which also took them past the 130-run mark. One of the most in-form batters and prolific run-scorers for Pakistan in the tournament, Mehreen Ali (55* off 55 balls) registered another vital half-century, as Pakistan posted a challenging total of 169/6 in their quota of 20 overs. Her knock was purely based on finding the gaps and strike rotation throughout the innings. Bushra Ashraf (48 off 26 balls) played an important role with the bat for Pakistan. Her knock included 8 boundaries.
Prativa Rai (4-0-34-1) and Laxmi Lama (4-0-41-1) were the only wicket-takers with the ball for Nepal. Sarita Ghimire (4-0-28-0) and Kanti Yogi (4-0-30-0) were impressive with the ball for their side.
Chasing a target of 170, the Nepal top-order worked in substantial partnerships, a 47-run opening stand between openers Mankeshi Chaudhary (17 off 12 balls) and skipper Binita Pun followed by another crucial 39-run partnership for the 2nd wicket, between Susma Tamang (36* off 45 balls) and skipper Binita Pun (46 off 23 balls) kept Nepal in a dominant position in the run chase. Nepal eventually got over the line with 7 wickets and three overs to spare.
Sarita Ghimire (19* off 20 balls) chipped in with a handy cameo with the bat for Nepal. Mehreen Ali (4-0-45-1) and Shumiala Kiran (1-0-10-1) were the only wicket-takers with the ball for Pakistan. The win has ensured Nepal book their spot in the final of the Inaugural edition of the Women’s T20 World Cup for the blind for the title clash against India.
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