Nepali women proved experienced and strong for debutant Iran in the opening match of the ACC Women’s Twenty20 Championship with a 62-run victory at the Bayemas Oval.
Neera Rajopadhyay was on top of her form scoring 39 off 58 balls with four boundaries to help Nepal score 109/3 in allotted 20 overs. Needing 110 for victory, Iran was bowled out for 47 in 15.4 overs.
Rekha Rawal was the pick of the bowler taking three wickets for 12 runs in four overs. Sharing the new ball with captain Ritu Kanaujiya, Rekha ensured early blow for Iran.
Her three wickets and a wicket for Ritu wrecked Iran making their score read 10/4 in 4.4 overs. Sonu Khadka grabbed two wickets giving away eight runs in her 3.4 overs while Neera and Ambika Budhathoki took a wicket each. Two of the Iranians bats-women were run out.
The top scorers for Iran were Parisa Afzali (10) and Minoo Hamdollahzadeh (9).
Earlier, Nepal made a brilliant start after Ritu chose to bat first. Opening with Maya Rawat and Neera, Nepal added 53 runs in 9.3 overs. Neera went first, bowled by Najmeh Hakimian while Maya, who scored 20 off 31 balls with a four, departed in 14th over bowled by Nahid Hakimian.
Former captain Nary Thapa scored run-a-ball six before being run out leaving Rashmi Sharma (13 not out off 14 balls with a four) and Ritu (7 not out off 14 balls) to conclude the proceedings.
Nepal also benefited 24 extra runs given away from Iran.
Brief scorecard: Nepal 109/3 (Neera Rajopadhyay 39, Maya Rawat 20, Rashmi Sharma 13*) defeated Iran 47 all out in 15.4 overs (Parisa Afzali 10, Rekha Rawal 3/12, Sonu Khadka 2/8) by 62 runs. Woman of the Match: Neera Rajopadhyay