SATV Mar. 14, Kathmandu: Nepal’s poor batting form continued as they lost to hosts Uganda by 40 runs in the Women’s Day Cup Twenty20 International Series on Thursday in Entebbe.

Chasing a target of 92 runs at the Entebbe Cricket Oval, Nepal were bowled out for just 51 runs in 17.1 overs. Immaculate Nakisuuyi and Mutoni Irene caused the most damage for Uganda, taking three wickets each. Consylate Aweko Nimungu and Janet Mbabazi also chipped in with one wicket each.

Nepal’s captain, Indu Barma, scored 11 runs off 12 balls, while Kabita Joshi added 12 runs off 27 deliveries. They were the only Nepali batters to reach double figures. Samjhana Kumari Khadka, Rubina Chhetry, Mamta Chaudhary, and Ishwori Bist were dismissed without scoring. Puja Mahato (7) and Sana Praveen (6) fell to Immaculate, while Alisha Kumari Yadav (9) and Riya Sharma (2) managed only single-digit scores.

Earlier, Uganda recovered from a poor start, losing both openers within the first two overs, to post 91 runs for five wickets. Esther Iloku scored 22 runs off 25 balls, while Rita Musamali top-scored with 38 runs off 48 balls. Stephanie Nampiina remained unbeaten with 13 runs.

Riya Sharma was the pick of the bowlers for Nepal, taking two wickets. Rubina Chhetry, Puja Ma-hato, and Ishwori Bist claimed one wicket each.

With this fourth loss, Nepal is at the bottom of the points table with two points. Namibia leads the table with six points from three wins, while Uganda and Hong Kong also have six points but are placed second and third, respectively, on net run rate.

Nepal will play their final league match against Hong Kong on Friday. Having already secured the last position in the group, Nepal will also compete in the third-place match on March 16.