Kathmandu:  Nepal edged United Arab Emirates (UAE) by five wickets on Monday to secure a place for global qualifiers for the first time during the Super Three stage of  ICC Women’s T20 World Cup Asia Region Qualifier at Terdthai Cricket Ground, Bangkok.

Along with Nepal, hosts Thailand were also assured a place in the global qualifier as the top two teams from the Super Three Stage were guaranteed a berth for the next round. Nepal and Thailand will now vie in the last group match of the Super Three on Tuesday while the UAE, defeated by Thailand on Sunday, made an exit. Hosts Thailand, Nepal and the UAE had secured berths for Super Three after securing top finishes in their respective groups of three teams each. 

Electing to bowl first, Nepal restricted UAE at 114-7 and made 115-5 in their run chase with three balls to spare. 

Captain and opener Esha Oza contributed a run-a-ball 32 for UAE and shared a 42-run partnership for the opening wicket with Theertha Satish, who made 21 runs off 32 before being dismissed. 

Lavanya Keni (12 runs off 11) and Heena Hotchandani (20 runs off 16) were other major contributors with the bat for the UAE. 

Manisha Upadhyay was the pick of Nepal’s bowling claiming four wickets in her four-over spell conceding 20 runs. Kabita Kunwar returned with figures of 4-1-18-2 while Rajmati Airee pocketed one wicket. 

In the run chase, Nepal’s opener Samjhana Khadka scored 21 runs facing 27 deliveries before being caught and bowled by Suraksha Kotte. Captain Indu Barma contributed the unbeaten 30 runs off 28 while former captain Rubina Chhetry scored 23 runs off 18. Puja Mahato contributed 13 runs. Indu was named player-of-the-match. 

UAE bowlers Michelle Botha, Suraksha Kotte, Vaishnave Mahesh and Esha Oza pocked a wicket each. 

Altogether, 10 teams will vie in the global qualifier for four berths available for the 2026 Women’s T20 World Cup finals.