Puja Mahato’s Crucial 39 Powers Nepali Women’s Team to 6-Wicket Victory over Malaysia T20

4th October 2025, Kathmandu

Nepal’s Women’s T20 International (#T20I) series against Malaysia is heating up! After a narrow loss in the first game, the Nepali women’s cricket team delivered a superb comeback, clinching the second T20I by six wickets to level the five-match series at 1-1.

Puja Mahato’s Crucial 39 Powers

At the heart of this crucial victory was the outstanding batting performance of rising star Puja Mahato.

Mahato Anchors the Chase to Secure Victory

Chasing a modest target of 92 runs set by the home side, Malaysia, Nepal needed a calm and composed batting effort.

Stepping up to the challenge, all-rounder Puja Mahato played a match-winning innings, scoring the highest individual runs for her team with a vital 39 runs off 39 balls.

Mahato’s innings was a masterclass in stability and smart hitting, featuring four timely boundaries. While the low target could have tempted big risks, she ensured the scoreboard kept ticking, eliminating any panic that might have set in after the early wickets.

Her partnership with Captain Indu Barma (27 runs off 21 balls) was instrumental in breaking the back of the Malaysian defence and guiding the team to safety.

Nepal completed the chase in just 16.2 overs, finishing at 93/4 and demonstrating superior control in the series’ second outing.

All-Round Brilliance: More Than Just a Batter

While her bat earned the headlines, Mahato is celebrated as a genuine all-rounder. Her ability to deliver under pressure is not new; she has previously led the Nepal Under-19 team to historic achievements, including its first-ever qualification for the ICC U-19 Women’s T20 World Cup.

Known for her powerful hitting and useful right-arm medium pace bowling, Mahato is quickly becoming an indispensable asset to the senior Nepali squad.

The victory at the Bayuemas Oval in Kuala Lumpur now sets the stage for a thrilling continuation of the series.

With the spotlight on players like Puja Mahato, the Nepali team is showing the grit and talent required to compete and win on the international stage.

For more: Puja Mahato’s Crucial 39 Powers