KATHMANDU: Nepal was defeated by Thailand by eight wickets in the opening match of the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup Global Qualifier.

In the match held today at the Tribhuvan University Cricket Ground in Kirtipur, Thailand chased the target of 123 runs set by Nepal and won the match losing two wickets in 16.5 overs.

For Thailand, Nathakan Chantham contributed an unbeaten 57 runs. She scored 57 runs off 29 balls, hitting nine fours and one six. Nanpat Koncharonkai scored 32 and Afisra Suwanchonrathi scored 28 runs.  Sita Ranamagar from Nepal took two wickets.

Before that, having lost the toss and invited to bat first, Nepal lost all wickets in the allotted 20 overs and made a total of 122 runs.

Bindu Rawal scored the highest 44 runs for Nepal. She made 44 runs off 56 balls, hitting four fours. Similarly, Samjhana Khadka scored 26 runs in 11 balls. Rubina Khatri scored 17 runs off 10 balls, including two sixes and one four, while Pooja Mahato made 12 runs.

Apart from them, no other player from Nepal could add double-digit runs.

Thipatcha Puthawang took the most wickets for Thailand. She took three wickets, while Onnita Kamchomple took two, and Chaninda Suttharuwang, Suliporn Laomi, and Sunida Chaturugratan each took one wicket.

Nepal will play its second match against the Netherlands on January 22.