KATHMANDU: A clinical bowling performance by Hong Kong, spearheaded by a devastating opening spell from medium-pacer Iqra Sahar, condemned Nepal to a massive 69-run defeat in the ACC Women’s Twenty20 International Premier Cup.

Chasing what appeared to be a modest target of 110 runs, the Nepali batting line-up collapsed dramatically, getting bowled out for a meager 40 runs in just 13.3 overs.

Earlier in the day, Nepal won the toss and elected to field first, putting together a disciplined performance to restrict Hong Kong to 109 runs at the loss of 3 wickets in their allotted 20 overs.

Yasmin Daswani anchored the Hong Kong innings with an unbeaten, top-scoring 42 runs, supported well by Marina Lamplough, who contributed 18 runs.

Mariko Hill laid down a solid platform with a brisk 29 runs before being dismissed by Riya Sharma, who also executed a sharp run-out to dismiss Hong Kong captain Natasha Miles for just 6 runs.

Nepal’s run chase began catastrophically and never recovered.

Iqra Sahar tore through the top order in a phenomenal opening spell, picking up 4 wickets while conceding just 4 runs across her 4 overs, which included two maiden overs.

Opening batter Bindu Rawal, alongside Puja Mahato and wicketkeeper Rubi Poddar, were all sent back to the pavilion for ducks.

Samjhana Khadka could only manage 3 runs before falling to Siu, leaving Nepal completely reeling with just 7 runs on the board at the loss of 4 wickets.

Captain Indu Barma attempted a brief rescue act, scoring 6 runs, while Sony Pakhrin fought hard for a team-high 12 runs off 23 balls to push the total forward.

However, Hong Kong skipper Kary Chan quickly broke through the remaining resistance, cleaning up the middle order to finish with stellar figures of 2 wickets for 3 runs from her two overs.

Maryam Bibi then swept through the lower order with 2 wickets for 15 runs, leaving Kabita Kunwar stranded on 4 runs not out as Nepal’s final wicket fell with the total at 40 runs.