When Indu Verma, a right‑handed batter for the Nepal Women's cricket team, smashed a match‑winning knock on October 12, 2025, Nepal clinched a spot in the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup Global Qualifier. The showdown took place in Bangkok, Thailand, during the Super Six stage of the ICC Women's T20 World Cup Asia & EAP Qualifier 2025Bangkok. The United Arab Emirates Women's cricket team posted 139/9 in their 20 overs, and Nepal chased it down comfortably, thanks largely to Verma’s 56‑run blaze.
Road to the Super Six: Tournament Overview
The International Cricket Council staged the Asia & EAP qualifier earlier in the year, with six national sides battling for two tickets to the Global Qualifier in Abu Dhabi. After a rain‑affected group phase in May, the competition shifted to a round‑robin Super Six format in October. Nepal’s steady rise through the phases was underpinned by a 30‑day training camp in Chiang Mai, funded by the Nepal Cricket Association (NCA) with a budget of NPR 25,000,000.
The Match Unfolds: Nepal vs UAE
UAE’s captain, Chaya Mughal, won the toss and elected to bat. Their innings was anchored by a crisp 38 from Fatima Al Mansoor, but wickets fell at regular intervals, leaving them at 139/9. When Nepal’s openers stepped onto the field, the pressure was palpable – the chase demanded a run‑rate of just over seven per over, a target well within reach for a side that had displayed aggressive power‑play batting in earlier games.
Verma entered at the third wicket, after Nepal was 39/2. What followed was a textbook T20 pursuit: she rotated the strike, timed the cover drive to perfection, and dispatched a couple of boundaries in the death overs. Her innings, described by Latestly Hindi as "brilliant", lifted Nepal to 141/5, sealing a three‑run victory.
Indu Verma's Match‑Winning Knock
Statistics tell the story. Verma faced 34 balls, struck four fours and two sixes, and maintained a strike rate of 164.71. Her partnership with middle‑order batter Priyanka Shrestha (45 runs) accounted for 78 of the required runs. ESPNcricinfo’s senior analyst Sreshth Shah noted in a post‑match podcast that "the timing of Verma’s aggression, especially in the 15th over, broke the UAE’s last‑ditch bowling plan".
Beyond numbers, Verma’s composure was evident. She chatted with teammates between overs, glancing at the scoreboard with a half‑smile, then launched a lofted hook that sailed over long‑on for a six – a moment that sparked celebrations across the Nepalese diaspora in Malaysia and the Gulf states.
Reactions from Teams and Officials
After the final over, UAE’s skipper Chaya Mughal congratulated Nepal: "They played with heart. We’ll learn from this defeat." Meanwhile, Pushka Kamal Dahal “Prachanda”, president of the NCA, praised the squad’s "unwavering spirit" and announced a cash reward of NPR 5,000,000 for each player, pending ICC verification.
The Emirates Cricket Board issued a brief statement acknowledging the competitive nature of the match and vowed to regroup ahead of future ICC events. The Nepal Olympic Committee released a statement through Secretary General Deepak Chandra Jha, calling the qualification "a historic milestone for women’s sport in Nepal".
What This Qualification Means for Nepal Cricket
It’s the first time since the men’s team qualified for the 2014 ICC World Twenty20 that any Nepali side has earned a berth in a global ICC tournament. The win has sparked spontaneous street celebrations in Kathmandu, Lalitpur, and Bhaktapur, with vendors selling white‑and‑red flags and chants echoing from local gyms to university campuses.
Financially, the ICC has earmarked $200,000 for the qualifier winner, though exact disbursement details remain under wraps. The NCA’s strategic investment in a Chiang Mai camp appears to be paying dividends, as players reported improved fitness and tactical awareness.
Socially, the victory is expected to boost female participation in cricket schools across the 77 districts of Nepal. Coaching clinics slated for early 2026 will now feature enhanced funding from the Ministry of Youth and Sports, which has already pledged additional resources following the win.
Looking Ahead: Global Qualifier in Abu Dhabi
From November 15‑24, 2025, the eight regional winners will converge on Abu Dhabi for the Global Qualifier. Nepal will face stiff competition from powerhouses like Australia, South Africa, and the host United Arab Emirates team.
Analysts, including Sreshth Shah, estimate Nepal’s odds of reaching the 2026 World Cup at roughly 35 %. He cites the team’s “improved power‑play batting and disciplined death bowling” as key factors, but warns that depth in the bowling attack will be tested against the world’s top batters.
Fans can follow live coverage through the ICC Match Centre (match ID 264187) and local streamers like Cricfoot Nepal, where founder and former men’s captain Sandeep Lamichhane will host pre‑match analysis shows.
Key Facts
- Match date: 12 October 2025, 5:08 PM UTC
- Venue: Bangkok, Thailand
- UAE score: 139/9 (20 overs)
- Nepal chase: 141/5 (18.3 overs)
- Top scorer: Indu Verma – 56 (34 balls)
- Prize money for qualifier winner: $200,000
- Nepal’s next stop: Global Qualifier, Abu Dhabi (15‑24 Nov 2025)
Frequently Asked Questions
How does this qualification affect women's cricket in Nepal?
The win gives the women's game a high‑profile platform, prompting schools and clubs to increase enrollment. Government ministries have pledged extra funding for grassroots coaching, and sponsors are now approaching the team for apparel deals, which should raise both standards and visibility.
What is the prize money distribution for the Asia & EAP Qualifier?
The ICC allocated $500,000 in total for the tournament. The champion receives $200,000, the runner‑up $150,000, and the remaining $150,000 is split among the other four participants based on final standings.
When and where will the Global Qualifier be held?
The ICC Women’s T20 World Cup Global Qualifier is scheduled for 15‑24 November 2025 in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates. Eight regional winners will compete for the two spots that lead to the 2026 World Cup.
Who captained the UAE women’s side in the Bangkok match?
The UAE side was led by Chaya Mughal, who has been at the helm since the 2023 regional qualifiers.
What are the chances Nepal will qualify for the 2026 World Cup?
ESPNcricinfo senior analyst Sreshth Shah gave Nepal a 35 % probability, citing their recent batting depth and disciplined bowling as strengths, while noting the need for more pace options against top‑tier opponents.
