Nepal Women defeated Indonesia Women by four wickets with three balls remaining in the Asian Games Women’s Qualifier 2026 at the Bayuemas Oval in Kuala Lumpur. The match featured disciplined bowling, important middle-order stands and calm finishing as Nepal reached the target in 19.3 overs to continue their strong run in the tournament.
After choosing to bat first, Indonesia Women were put under pressure almost immediately. Kadek Winda Prastini was run out without scoring in the second over, leaving the side at 1/0. The situation became worse when Rahmawati Pangestuti made only 1 from 5 deliveries before Manisha Upadhayay dismissed her, reducing Indonesia to 2/2 inside the powerplay.
Nepal’s bowlers kept tight control and their fielding remained sharp, restricting scoring chances. Indonesia Women managed only 19 runs in the mandatory powerplay while losing two wickets.
Ni Luh Dewi and captain Ni Putu Ayu Nanda Sakarini began a patient recovery. The pair added a crucial 65-run partnership for the third wicket, which became the foundation of Indonesia’s innings.
Dewi played a steady 23 from 33 balls, hitting three boundaries before Manisha trapped her lbw in the 13th over. Her dismissal ended a stand that had helped Indonesia return to the contest.
Sakarini then carried the innings through to the finish. The Indonesia captain anchored the batting effort with an unbeaten 56 from 62 balls, including three boundaries, showing strong composure under pressure.
She received support from Ni Made Putri Suwandewi, who scored 13 from 17 deliveries. Their 36-run stand for the fourth wicket helped Indonesia Women move past 100. Ni Kadek Fitria Rada Rani added an unbeaten 3 late in the innings as Indonesia finished on 113/4 from 20 overs.
Nepal Bowlers Keep Indonesia Under Control
Nepal Women’s bowlers maintained discipline throughout the innings. Manisha Upadhayay was the standout performer with 2/9 from four overs, bowling tight lines and removing important batters at key stages.
Riya Sharma also contributed with an economical 1/17 from four overs, while Kabita Kunwar kept the scoring under control with 0/20. Rubina Chhetry went wicketless but bowled neatly, conceding only nine runs from her two overs.
Nepal Recover After Early Trouble
Chasing 114, Nepal Women also suffered early problems. Samjhana Khadka was dismissed lbw for just 1 by Dara Paramitha. Puja Mahato then struck two boundaries in a brisk 9 from 12 balls before Ni Made Putri Suwandewi removed her, leaving Nepal at 16/2.
Indonesia tightened the game further when Rubi Poddar was trapped lbw for a duck by Suwandewi, reducing Nepal to 20/3.
At that stage, Sony Pakhrin and captain Indu Barma rebuilt the chase with a vital 45-run partnership for the fourth wicket. Pakhrin made a fighting 29 from 36 deliveries with three boundaries, rotating the strike well and keeping the scoreboard moving.
Indu played the anchor’s role with control, timing her innings carefully. Together, they took Nepal to 53/3 at the halfway point and gradually shifted momentum toward the chasing side.
Indonesia fought back again when Sang Maypriani dismissed Pakhrin in the 13th over. But Indu stayed calm and added another important partnership with Kabita Kunwar.
The pair put on 34 runs for the fifth wicket, taking Nepal close to victory. Kabita made a useful 14 from 14 balls before Ni Arlani dismissed her in the 19th over. Arlani struck again shortly after to remove Rubina Chhetry for a duck, briefly giving Indonesia hope.
Indu Barma Finishes The Job
Despite the late wickets, Indu ensured Nepal did not lose control. Her unbeaten 42 from 43 balls, including five boundaries, became the decisive innings of the chase.
Sita Rana Magar then produced a rapid finishing cameo, scoring an unbeaten 13 from only six balls at a strike rate above 200. Her three boundaries helped Nepal seal victory with three balls left.
Indonesia Women’s bowlers fought well throughout the chase. Suwandewi was impressive with 2/16 from three overs, striking at important moments. Arlani also claimed 2/26, while Paramitha and Maypriani picked up one wicket each.
Although the target was modest, Indonesia’s bowlers kept the pressure alive until the final over, turning the match into a gripping contest.
