The performance of the Nepali Women’s Cricket team in the recently concluded Yamaha Racing WT20I Triangular Series has been a significant concern for fans, sparking public criticism. Nepal lost three matches each to the visiting teams from Thailand and the Netherlands. Additionally, the team faced two defeats in the Asia Cup against cricketing powerhouses India and Pakistan, marking their eighth consecutive loss across all competitions.
To make matters worse, there have been reports of a rift between the head coach and the captain following the six-match winless streak in the tournament. Given the country’s passion for the game, it’s no surprise that these disappointing results have led to a public outcry. We are indeed at a crucial juncture for women’s cricket in Nepal. The recent setbacks should not dampen our spirits or diminish our hunger for future success. Therefore, let’s revisit our recent achievements in women’s cricket and evaluate why there is more reason for excitement than concern.
The Asia Cup berth
The Nepali Women’s team gained renewed attention when news broke about their inclusion in the Women’s Asia Cup 2024. A press release from the Asian Cricket Council (ACC) on March 26, 2024, announced the tournament’s venue and time, stating, “Joining the cricketing powerhouses of India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, and Bangladesh will be the semi-finalists of the Women’s Premier Cup 2024 – UAE, Malaysia, Nepal, and Thailand.” As a cricket fan, I was thrilled to watch the Nepali women’s team play on Star Sports. Having grown up watching cricket’s biggest stars on this channel, it was an emotional and proud moment to see the Nepali women’s team game beamed on to my television screen.
Who can forget that first match against the United Arab Emirates (UAE)? Scintillating performances with the bat from Samjhana Khadka (72 not out) and a brilliant three-wicket haul from captain Indu Barma stunned the favored UAE by six wickets in the tournament opener. That pull shot through the onside at the Rangiri Dambulla International Stadium, in the first ball of the 17th over from Samjhana Khadka, meant that Nepal chased the 116-run target with six wickets in hand and 23 balls remaining. The win showcased their potential to the world and, more importantly, to cricket-crazy Nepalis.
Furthermore, in the tournament, our team had the incredible opportunity to play against cricketing giants India and Pakistan. While it was no surprise that we lost, the chance to compete against two of the best sides in the world was a significant win for Team Nepal. Memories of that six from Kabita Joshi over mid-off in the 20th over of Nepal’s innings still give me goosebumps. More importantly, watching our team play on an iconic television channel against the game’s best players must have undoubtedly inspired a whole generation of women’s cricketers in the country.
So, is it a win or a loss? In terms of the scoreboard, it might be a loss, but in terms of experience, exposure, and inspiration, it’s a huge win for Nepali women’s cricket.
Beating Pakistan in Under-19 Asia Cup
As recently as December 16, 2024, Nepal beat Pakistan, a full member side, leading to Nepal’s qualification in the super four stage of the ACC U19 Women’s Asia Cup. Frankly, I gave no probability for a Nepal win that day. Thanks to the Facebook handle of the Cricket Association of Nepal, which put out the news of Nepal’s win, I was fanatically looking for the highlights package thereafter.
We did not win the Under-19 Asia Cup but that win against Pakistan injected hope that we can compete at the highest level. This time too women cricket got a huge boost.
Thanks to a captain’s knock of 47 not out by Puja Mahato, Nepal surpassed the 105-run target. The scenes of the Nepali team running onto the ground with a burst of emotions and joy after Captain Puja hit the winning run will continue to inspire thousands of women and girls to take up sports and repeat that feat for the country. The following day, Nepal played India, but unfortunately, we could not get a full match due to rain. However, prior to the rain interruption, the Nepali side was able to bat the full 20 overs, putting up a total of 94 runs for the loss of eight wickets. India is a global cricketing giant, not just in monetary terms, as they have the richest board, but also due to their extravagant talent pool. Undoubtedly, the confidence injected by the exposure of playing the Indian side will invigorate our dreams of competing at the International Cricket Council (ICC) Women’s World Cup in the future.
Yes, we did not win the Under-19 Asia Cup but that win against Pakistan injected hope that we can compete at the highest level. Hence, this time too women cricket got a huge boost.
ICC Women’s U-19 T20 World Cup
An article dated November 13, 2024, on the International Cricket Council’s website is titled “Nepal Wins Thriller to Become Final Team to Qualify for ICC U19 Women’s T20 World Cup 2025.” This marks Nepal’s first-ever World Cup berth in women’s under-19 cricket, a historic achievement for the country. Until this moment, no Nepali women’s team had ever qualified for a World Cup.
In a thrilling match against arch-rivals UAE, the under-19 side secured its place in this global extravaganza. Despite losing three matches, the team clinched a crucial victory in their final game. The immense pride brought about by this representation heralds the beginning of a new era in women’s cricket in Nepal.
World is watching
In recent months, the Nepali women’s cricket team has made a remarkable impact by drawing large audiences to their games on YouTube and television. The live broadcast of the Nepal versus India match at the Women’s Asia Cup attracted over two million views on the Asian Cricket Council’s YouTube channel. Similarly, their match against Pakistan also garnered two million views. Despite a winless and disappointing tournament, the women’s team still managed to captivate a substantial audience with their live matches. The views for the YouTube live streams of the matches in the recently concluded tri-nation series are listed below:
Nepal Vs Netherlands (30 January): 330K views
Nepal Vs Thailand (1 February 2025): 335K views
Nepal Vs Netherlands (2 February 2025): 299K views
Nepal Vs Thailand (4 February 2025): 253K views
Nepal Vs Netherlands (5 February 2025): 254K views
Nepal VS Thailand (7 February 2025): 185K views
Inspiring a generation
In a podcast, highlighting what Tendulkar meant to India, Indian cricket commentator, Harsha Bhogle said. “…Tendulkar wasn’t a cricketer. Tendulkar was the awareness that an Indian could be the best and so he gave everybody hope and confidence saying that if Tendulkar can be the best we too could be maybe…”. This sentiment perfectly captures the potential impact of the rise in women’s cricket in Nepal. It has injected hope, confidence, and awareness into thousands of young girls at home who watch the sport on their televisions or phones and realize that they too could elevate the Nepali flag. Beyond cricket, the rise of women’s cricket will inevitably inspire a whole generation of young girls to take up sports.
The rise of any sport needs inspiration, and there has never been a better story than that of Puja Mahato to make it aspirational. Highlighting the impact of her performances at the Under-19 Asia Cup and Under-19 World Cup during an interview with Kantipur TV , Puja Mahato remarked, “When I returned to Mahottari, the elders in the community called me ‘Puja Mahato jee,’ which is not a usual practice. I felt good about that and took it as a sign of respect for my efforts.” The respect that Puja Mahato has earned cannot be bought with gold bullions. It is earned through sweat and tears on the ground and persistent self-belief in one’s efforts. Puja Mahato’s story will undoubtedly motivate many more young girls to break their self-inflicted and societal barriers and inspire society to move away from traditional roles for women.
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