Nepal began their bid for qualification to the 2025 ICC U-19 Women's T20 World Cup with a 67-run victory over Thailand in the Asia Qualifiers at the Sevens Stadium in Ajman, the United Arab Emirates, on Wednesday.

Invited to bat first after losing the toss, Nepal posted 106 from their 20 overs at the loss of six wickets, with Puja Mahato top-scoring with 35 runs off 40 balls.

Seema KC was not out on 19 when the play ended, while Sony Pakhrin also contributed 19 runs.

Charukan Saema took two wickets for Thailand. Sunisa Bongkodphongampai also picked a wicket.

In reply, Nepal bowled Thailand out for 35 inside 11.4 overs on the back of a four-wicket haul from Rachanna Chaudhary.

Chaudhary returned the match figures of 4-10 in her magical three-over spell, including three scalps in the ninth over (8.1, 8.2 and 8.5 overs) that also included the wicket of Thailand’s top scorer Aphisara Suwanchonrathi (13).

Riya Sharma also shone with the ball, taking two wickets in her four deliveries, while Puja Mahato grabbed two Thailand wickets giving away just three runs in her economical three overs.

Except for opener Aphisara, no Thailand batters were able to reach the double digit figures.

Hosts UAE, Nepal, Kuwait, and Thailand are competing in the Asia Qualifiers, with the top team at the end of the double round robin league earning their spot in the ICC U-19 Women’s T20 World Cup 2025, which is set to be held in Malaysia.

India won the inaugural edition by defeating England by seven wickets in the final in Potchefstroom, South Africa in January last year.

The UAE also began their campaign with a 106-run victory over Kuwait, courtesy of unbeaten half-centuries from Lavanya Keny (77 not out) and Samaira Dharnidharka (58 not out), and brilliant bowlings from Mehak Thakur (2-2), Al Maseera Jahangir (2-3) and Lavanya Keny (2-5).

The hosts posted 143-1 from the allotted 20 overs before limiting the Kuwaitis to 37-10 in 15.2 overs.

Nepal next play Kuwait on Thursday, while the UAE take on Thailand.

The winners of the Asia Qualifier will join the other four teams who have already secured their tickets to the World Cup through regional qualifiers. Nigeria qualified from Africa, Samoa from East Asia Pacific and Scotland from Europe. The United States automatically qualified from the Americas region—and for a second time in a row—as they were the only team in the region to meet the criteria required to enter the qualification pathway.

The 10 full-members teams from the 2023 U-19 Women’s T20 World Cup—Australia, Bangladesh, England, India, Ireland, New Zealand, Pakistan, South Africa, Sri Lanka and West Indies—have already received direct entry.

Malaysia qualified as hosts.

U-19 Women’s T20 World CUp Asia Qualifier

The Sevens Stadium, Ajman

TOSS: Thailand, bowl first.

Nepal 102-6 (20/20 overs)

Puja Mahato 35 (40), Seem KC 19*(19); Charukan Saema 4-0-20-2

Thailand 35-10 (11.4/20 overs)

Aphisara Suwanchonrathi 13 (23), Nattharika Thokoi 6(7); Rachanna Chaudhary 3-0-10-4, Riya Sharma 0.4-0-0-2, Puja Mahato 3-1-3-2

Nepal win by 67 runs.

Nepal’s next fixtures

Nov 7Nepal vs Kuwait

Nov 9Nepal vs UAE

Nov 10Nepal vs Thailand

Nov 12Nepal vs Kuwait

Nov 13Nepal vs UAE