Kathmandu: Nepal succumbed to a seven-wicket defeat against Hong Kong in a rain-affected match of the ICC Women’s Twenty20 World Cup Asia Region Qualifier facing a huge blow in their ambition of qualification into Super Three stage.

In the game reduced to five-over per side due to wet outfield at Asia Institute of Technology in Bangkok, Nepal posted 29-3 after they were invited to bat first. In the run chase, Honk Kong made 30-3 with three balls to spare.

The outcome lifted Hong Kong on top of Group ‘C’ with four points, one point ahead of second placed Nepal after equal three games. Bahrain are third with one point in the three-team group being played on double round robin league format.

Nepal’s first match against Hong Kong was washed out while they had defeated Baharain by nine wickets in the second game also reduced to five overs per side. Nepal will play their last group match against Bahrain on Thursday.

Nepal opener Kabita Kunwar was dismissed on two runs and her opening pair on 10 runs with 13-2 on board. Captain Indu Barma remained unbeaten on nine runs and Rubina Chhetry on four runs. Puja Mahato was dismissed on three runs.

Alison Siu claimed all three wickets of Nepal. The player-of-the-match conceded 11 runs in her two-over spell.

Hong Kong were off to a shaky start in their run chase losing two wickets in the third ball of the first over. But opener Shanzeen Shahzad and Mariko Hill shared a 27-run partnership for the third wicket taking them close to victory.

Mariko contributed run-a-ball 11 before she was bowled out by Kabita. Shanzeen contributed not out 15 runs off 12 that included a six. Yasmin Daswani remained unbeaten on three runs.

Kabita claimed two wickets for Nepal in her 1.3 overs bowling.

The group toppers of all three groups will vie in the Super Three stage. Thailand, Kuwait and Bhutan are placed in Group ‘A’ while UAE, Malaysia and Qatar are drawn in Group ‘B’.

The top two sides of the Super Three stage will secure a place for Global Qualifiers.