Winifred Duraisingam took 3-17 and scored 38 runs to power Malaysia to a last-ball win in a chase of 97 against Nepal. The win allowed Malaysia to square the bilateral series 2-2 with the decider set to be played on Sunday.
After winning the toss and batting first, Nepal got off to a steady start before Duraisingam dismissed Kajal Shresta, who was caught by Aina Najwa who continues to build on her reputation as an athletic fielder.
Duraisingam would then run out Jyoti Pandey with a direct hit before snaring the dangerous Sita Rana Magar for 5. Mahirah Izzati turned the screws with a spell of one for 11 in her four overs, which included the wicket of Rubina Chhetry.
Nepal, however, were not done fighting. Indu Barma top-scored with a knock of 32, which included three boundaries. Bindu Rawal helped out with a useful 24 off 26 to propel them to 96 for seven at the end of their innings.
In reply, Malaysia lost Wan Julia in the first over when the opener was caught by Barma off the bowling of Kabita Kunwar. Malaysian skipper Mas Elysa then walked into to steady the ship with Duraisingam. The pair were helped out by a generous serving of extras before Elysa was caught by Apsari Begum off the bowling of Sita Rana Magar.
At 29 for two in the sixth over, Malaysia needed another good partnership to feel more secure. Mahirah Izzati chipped in with two boundaries in a composed 16 off 26 balls. With the score on 64 in the 14th over and with the required rate just below five runs an over, Malaysia lost two wickets in the space of four balls. Kabita Kunwar bowled Izzati before Ainna Hamizah was run out for a duck.
In spite of not succeeding to score a boundary for the remainder of the innings, Malaysia were once again helped out by a useful series of extras and the composure of the experienced Duraisingam, who got them to within four runs of victory with seven balls left.
However, there would be another twist in the tale when she was run out in an apparent attempt to take a second run and retain the strike for the final over. With two runs required off as many deliveries, Aisya Eleesa and Ariana Natasya managed to sneak through for a pair of singles to seal victory for a jubilant Malaysian dugout.
Brief Scores:
Malaysia 97 for 6 in 20 Overs (Duraisingam 38, Chhetry 1-13) beat Nepal 96 for 7 in 20 Overs (Barma 32, Duraisingam 3-17) by 4 wickets with 0 balls to spare. |
