Rubina Chhetry's Heroic 37* Keeps Nepal's Women's T20 World Cup 2026 Dream Alive

Nepal's Women's T20 World Cup dream hangs by a thread, but the resilient Asian side is far from giving up. Despite a gut-wrenching two-run defeat to the Netherlands at the ICC Women's T20 World Cup Qualifier 2026, the hosts remain determined to fight for their spot at the prestigious tournament in England and Wales.

The Heartbreak at Tribhuvan University International Cricket Ground

In what was a nail-biting encounter on home soil, Nepal came agonizingly close to victory against the unbeaten Netherlands. The match went down to the final delivery, where a boundary was struck when a six would have leveled the scores—a margin that perfectly encapsulates just how competitive this Nepal side has become.

The loss means Nepal now sit in fourth place in their group, making their path to qualification significantly more challenging. However, the team's fighting spirit was on full display, and their performance suggests they are capable of causing upsets in their remaining fixtures.

Rubina Chhetry: Nepal's Beacon of Hope

All-rounder Rubina Chhetry delivered a masterclass under pressure, producing a match-defining performance with both bat and ball. The 32-year-old remained unbeaten on 37 runs and claimed two crucial wickets, showcasing why she is considered one of Nepal's most valuable players.

In a historic moment during the chase, Chhetry became just the second woman from Nepal to surpass 1000 runs in T20I cricket—a testament to her consistency and importance to the national team over the years.

"Milestones matter only when the team wins. Records will keep coming. More than the thousand runs, I hope I can make a bigger contribution in the next match."

— Rubina Chhetry

Batting Analysis: Partnerships and Missed Opportunities

Nepal's batting effort was a story of two halves. While the final stages saw Chhetry and Sita Rana Magar (27*) combine for an unbeaten 45-run partnership that almost pulled off a miraculous victory, the middle overs proved costly.

"We had a good partnership at the end. We needed a similar partnership in the middle as well. But we lost too many wickets at the wrong time, and that became the reason for the defeat."

— Rubina Chhetry

The inability to build sustained partnerships during the crucial middle phase meant that despite the late heroics, Nepal fell just short of their target.

Bowling Performance: Chhetry's Dual Threat

With the ball, Nepal showed they can compete against higher-ranked opposition. Chhetry's two wickets were instrumental in keeping the Netherlands' total within reach, demonstrating her invaluable all-round capabilities that Nepal will heavily rely upon in their remaining matches.

Netherlands March On Unbeaten

While Nepal lick their wounds, the Netherlands have emerged as the dominant force in the group, winning all three of their fixtures to secure a spot in the Super Six phase. Dutch head coach Neil MacRae praised Nepal's fighting qualities.

"Nepal are very strong when they play at home with domestic crowd support. You could feel that towards the end of the innings. That's why it was a high-quality game. The opposition were excellent, and we are very happy to take the two points."

— Neil MacRae, Netherlands Head Coach

The Road Ahead: Zimbabwe and Scotland Must Fall

Nepal's qualification hopes now rest on their final two group matches against Zimbabwe and Scotland. Both fixtures must be won, and other results need to fall in their favor for the hosts to advance to the Super Six phase.

"The team has improved a lot compared to the previous times. We still have a chance to qualify for the next stage, and keep the hope for the World Cup alive. And we will utilise the remaining games to end the tournament in our favour."

— Rubina Chhetry

Looking Forward: Can Nepal Defy the Odds?

The tournament has shown that Nepal possess the talent and fighting spirit to compete at this level. With home advantage, passionate crowd support at the Tribhuvan University International Cricket Ground, and players like Rubina Chhetry in form, Nepal cannot be written off.

The Women's T20 World Cup 2026 in England and Wales remains the ultimate goal, and Nepal will leave everything on the field to keep that dream alive. The next matches against Zimbabwe and Scotland will determine whether this talented group can write a historic chapter for Nepali women's cricket.