NEP WU19 VS MAS WU19 YOUTH%20T20

Well then, we are done and dusted with the 4th Place Playoff stage of this Under-19 Women's T20 World Cup. It was Pakistan Under-19 who won the day's first game, defeating Samoa by a comprehensive margin of 52 runs, and now, Nepal Under-19 have dominated over Malaysia Women Under-19 with a stellar bowling performance. As these matches conclude, the tournament is set to transition into its most challenging segment - the Super Six stage, which is expected to bring heightened competition and strategic cricket. First up, is a thrilling encounter between Ireland Women Under-19 and New Zealand Women Under-19 in Bangi. That game will begin on Saturday, 25th January and the first ball will be bowled at 2.30 am GMT. While England Women Under-19 will also take on Nigeria Women Under-19 at the same time, same day at Sarawak. Do join us for the pre-match build-up a bit early. Till then, cheers, and take care!

The captain of Malaysia Women Under-19, Nur Dania Syuhada says that they learned a lot from this tournament. Mentions that playing against teams like India and West Indies was a huge learning experience for them as a team. On being asked about her favorite memory from the tournament, she says that she enjoyed her time with the girls and that everyone worked hard.

Puja Mahato, the victorious skipper of Nepal is the PLAYER OF THE MATCH for her 4 wickets and unbeaten match-winning knock of 23 runs. She the captain has to lead from the front and she thrives to do that with both ball and bat. Mentions that she admires Jasprit Bumrah and wants to accomplish a lot and be called the 'Lady Bumrah'. Says that she tries to stay focused in crunch situations and do well for the team. Reckons that this win has given them a lot of confidence and they as a team will look to carry it forward.

It is time for the Presentation Ceremony...

Earlier in the game, Nepal skipper Puja Mahato didn't take long to provide the first couple of breakthroughs for her team and tried to exert pressure from the get-go. Losing early wickets meant Malaysia's progression was cagy throughout the Powerplay. In order to get out of the blocks, the batters tried to be aggressive, but just couldn't get going. At the halfway stage, they were reduced to 21/5. Nuriman did show some resilience with the bat, but just for a brief phase. And from thereon, Nepal further pressed on their opponents and eventually bowled them out on 45. Skipper Puja Mahato dented through the Malaysian batting unit with a 4-fer while Rachana Chaudhary too snagged a stellar 3-wicket haul.

Puja Mahato replicated her bowling dominance with the bat and absorbed all the pressure calmly, understanding the need of the situation. She knocked and ran, and punished the looseners with barely any risky strokes, though she was offered a lifeline through a dropped catch. With just a small total on the board, Malaysia did show some character with the ball, but they were always behind the eight ball. But Malaysia can take their impressive bowling performance as a huge positive moving forward.

The more they targeted the stumps, the more troubled the batters appeared. This tight bowling was further compounded by risky running between the wickets, putting additional strain on the batting side and making things unnecessarily challenging. The game was firmly on the shoulders of Puja Mahato the skipper to sail her team through.

A day dominated by the bowlers here in Johor. Malaysia had a very low total on the board, but they did show resilience with the ball and didn't go down without a fight. With only 46 runs to chase, all Nepal Women Under-19 needed was a stable start first up. However, they were rocked early with their openers perishing too early inside the Powerplay. It was the duo of Suabika and Marsya that put the squeeze on and frustrated the Nepalese batters with a barrage of dot balls.

FOUR! And the skipper shows how it's done! A solid knock from Puja with the bat! On a length, on middle, Puja Mahato pulls it away through deep mid-wicket for a boundary. NEPAL WIN BY 7 WICKETS!

FOUR! Nicely done! A friendly full toss on the bodyline, Puja Mahato walks a step ahead and heaves it away through deep mid-wicket for a cracking boundary.

Too full outside off, Seemana KC carves it out off the outer half of the bat. The ball is stopped to her left by the short third fielder but she fumbles and allows the batters to cross for a quick single.

WIDE! Another one beyond the tramline outside off, Wide called.

IN THE AIR...LANDS SAFE! A full toss on the stumps, Seemana KC slices it in the air but the ball lands behind mid on and the batters scamper back for the second.

Nice and full around off, mistimed it to the off side, near the strip.

WIDE! Sprayed outside the tramline, outside off, Wide called.

A bit of yes and no again in the middle, but no harm done. On a length, around middle and leg, Seemana tucks it across to mid-wicket and wants a single but is denied on a sharp call from Puja.

DRINKS BREAK! Nepal Women Under-19 are just 12 runs away from a win, but they have been impressively challenged by the Malaysian spinners on a sluggish surface. Marsya, Suabika and the skipper Nur Dania Syuhada all have been precise with their lines and have tried to keep things tight. However, with Puja Mahato in the middle, Nepal Women Under-19 will be at ease and would expect their skipper to finish off the game.