IND A vs NEP: Spinners shine as Nepal bowled out for 78, win by 7 wickets to book semifinal spot

In the ACC Women's Asia Cup Rising Stars 2026 clash on February 17 at Terdthai Cricket Ground, Bangkok, Tanuja Kanwer starred with a four-wicket haul as India A bowled out Nepal for 78. Then, India chased down the target in just 7.5 overs with seven wickets in hand to boost their chances of reaching the semifinal significantly.

Nepal stuck in a spin web

In their last group stage match, skipper Radha Yadav won the toss and opted to bowl first. Nepal got off to a cautious start as Bindu Rawal played too many dot balls in the powerplay overs. In the fifth over, Minnu Mani got Rawal stumped for a 21-ball 11.  In the eighth over, Radha introduced Tanuja into the attack. She got Samjhana Khadka out lbw for a 16-ball 22. In the 10th over, she struck twice to send Rubi Poddar and Sita Rana Mangar packing. Nepal were 56/4 at the halfway stage.

Minnu returned to the attack and caught Kabita Kunwar off her own bowling. Tanuja continued to strick and knocked over Puja Mahato. In her final over, Mani got the wicket of Roma Thapa. She conceded just eight runs from her quota of four overs. In the 16th over, Radha returned to get the better of Rubina Chhetri and Anu Kadayat. Chhetri struggled and managed to score just one run from 13 deliveries. On the last ball of the 18th over, Mamatha Madiwala was run out as Nepal were bowled out for 78.

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Easy run chase for India

In the run chase, India lost the wicket of Deepa Yadav to Manisha Upadhayay in the first over. Anushka Sharma hit a couple of fours before losing her wicket to Kadayat. In the fifth over, Vrinda Dinesh hit for consecutive fours to release the pressure. Tejal Hasabnis hit and Dinesh hit two fours each whereas Anu bowled five wides in the sixth over. She conceded 22 runs as India were 66/2 after powerplay overs.

In the eighth over, Magar got a consolation wicket as she knocked over Hasabnis for a 13-ball 18. Dinesh hit two consecutive fours to finish the run chase with 12.1 overs to spare. The opener remained unbeaten for 39 off 18 deliveries. Her knock was laced with nine fours. Kanwer was named ‘Player of the match’ for four-wicket haul. 

India climb to top of points table 

With their second consecutive comprehensive win, India are on top of Group A with a net run rate (NRR) of +3.042. India have qualified for the semifinals. If UAE beat Pakistan A, they will top the group. Even if Pakistan A beat UAE, they will need to do it with a huge margin to go past India’s NRR.