A remarkable Under-19 Women's T20 World Cup qualifying match lasted just 55 deliveries as the United Arab Emirates completed an emphatic 10 wicket win over Nepal.
After winning the toss and choosing to bat first, Nepal were bowled for just eight as their innings lasted 8.1 overs. A total of six players were out for ducks, with Sneha Mahara the top scorer with three.
16-year-old Mahika Gaur bowled a stunning four over spell for the UAE, delivering two maidens and picking up 5-2. Gaur has already represented the UAE's senior side, playing 14 WT20Is after making her debut in 2019.
Indhuka Nandakumar, meanwhile, took 3-6 from her four overs before Samaira Dharnidharka took the final wicket with her first delivery. In response, it took the UAE just seven balls to win the match.
"It's a great feeling for everyone in the team and gives us great confidence for the next [three] matches, but our job is not done," Gaur said after the win. "We want to win all five [games] and qualify for the U19 T20 World Cup.
"Before the match we discussed, with coach Najeeb, where to bowl to apply pressure, it's a new ground and wicket so we kept it simple - bowl on the stumps. Captain Theertha and Coach Najeeb instilled a lot of confidence in my ability, which gave me the belief in myself that I could do the job and restrict them to a low score."
Nepal and the UAE are among six teams taking part in the Under-19 Women's T20 World Cup Asia qualifiers, with Qatar, Bhutan, Malaysia and Thailand also involved. Whoever wins the qualifying tournament will earn a spot at the 2023 Under-19 Women's T20 World Cup, which is set to take place in South Africa.
South Africa, Australia, Bangladesh, England, India, Ireland, New Zealand, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, West Indies and Zimbabwe automatically qualified for the tournament by virtue of being full member nations.
The USA also qualified automatically, with the ICC stating they were the only nation eligible to compete from the Americas. There are four more spots up for grabs which will be determined by regional qualifiers.
