The timeline of UAE Women facing Nepal Women is an intriguing narrative filled with shifts in energy, nail-biting finishes, competitive tournament scenarios, and various standout individual performances. Since 2017, these developing women’s cricket squads have clashed in key regional and qualification championships, with both teams experiencing spells of dominance.
This rivalry has led to successful runs, closely contested matches with low scores, decisive victories, and, in 2022, a rain-affected game that concluded without any outcome. The most recent encounter occurred on February 15, 2026, when UAE Women triumphed over Nepal Women by 18 runs during the Women’s Asia Cup Rising Stars held in Bangkok.
What adds to the allure of this competition is that neither side has consistently held an advantage. Nepal had outperformed UAE in several of their latest meetings, but UAE made a strong comeback in 2026.
UAE Women vs Nepal Women Head-to-Head History
The initial recorded clash between these teams happened in November 2017 in Bangkok at the ICC Women’s World Twenty20 Qualifying Series for the Asia Region. The UAE posted a total of 79/7, while Nepal ended with 74/9, resulting in a narrow five-run win for the UAE. Nisha Ali earned the Player of the Match accolade. Natasha Cherriath was the top scorer for UAE with 23 runs, followed by Esha Oza with 22. For Nepal, Ritu Kanoujiya remained not out with 22 runs.
This close outcome underscored the competitive spirit of the fixture. The five-run margin demonstrated that even in the early encounters between these two teams, tension often lingered until the final moments.
2019: Nepal dominate two important encounters
The 2019 segment of the UAE Women versus Nepal Women timeline showcased two distinctly different contests.
On January 14, 2019, in the Thailand Women’s T20 Smash, the UAE managed to score 105/6 across their 20 overs, with Chaya Mughal making 31 runs and Esha Oza adding 28. Nepal, in response, successfully reached 106/4 in 19 overs. Sita Rana Magar was the standout performer in Nepal’s innings with 37 runs, while Kajal Shrestha contributed 25 runs.
A little over a month later, during the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup Asia Region Qualifier, Nepal achieved an even more convincing victory. The UAE were bowled out for a mere 41 runs in 17.3 overs, with Chamani Seneviratna’s score of 13 being the highest for the UAE. Nary Thapa claimed four wickets for Nepal. In their chase, Nepal reached 45/3 in just 10.2 overs, securing the win by seven wickets with 58 balls to spare. Rubina Chhetry scored an unbeaten 18, while Kajal Shrestha added 15.
Those two victories provided Nepal with significant momentum and illustrated the disparity between the teams at that moment in their respective journeys.
2021: UAE Women strike back
A pivotal shift occurred in the rivalry in November 2021.
At ICC Academy Oval-1 in Dubai, the UAE Women delivered a dominant performance with a 48-run win. They posted a score of 127/5 in their allotted 20 overs before bowling Nepal out for 79 in 19.4 overs.
This outcome was crucial because the UAE’s victory was not a narrow escape but a comprehensive display. They asserted control over the game with both bat and ball. Their total of 127/5 created enough pressure on the bowlers, making it difficult for Nepal to mount a successful chase.
The contest remains one of the most evident illustrations of the UAE’s capacity to reverse the competition following Nepal’s impressive performances in 2019.
2022: A semi-final halted by rain
The subsequent significant event in the UAE Women versus Nepal Women Timeline took place during the ACC Women’s T20 Championship in Kuala Lumpur.
On June 24, 2022, Nepal faced UAE in the initial semi-final. The UAE batted first and was all out for 81 within 19.5 overs. Esha Oza managed to score 15 runs, while Chaya Mughal and Khushi Sharma added 14 and 12 runs, respectively. Nepal’s bowling unit, spearheaded by Asmina Karmacharya and Indu Barma, maintained pressure on the UAE batting lineup.
However, rains interrupted Nepal’s run chase. The match resulted in a no result, indicating that there was no official victor due to the interrupted play.
This game stands as a significant reminder that the annals of cricket are not solely determined by the final score or victory margins. The UAE advanced despite not having a completed second inning.
2024: Samjhana Khadka creates a historic chase
The encounter in the 2024 Women’s Asia Cup emerged as one of Nepal’s most significant achievements against the UAE.
UAE made 115/8 in their 20 overs at Rangiri Dambulla International Stadium. Khushi Sharma was the top scorer with 36 runs, while Kavisha Egodage contributed 22 runs. Esha Oza added 10, and Theertha Satish scored 9 runs.
Nepal’s reply was remarkable.
Samjhana Khadka played a pivotal role by finishing with an unbeaten 72 from 45 deliveries, including 11 fours. Rubina Chhetry chipped in with 10 runs, and Puja Mahato ended with 7 runs not out. Nepal achieved a total of 118/4 in just 16.1 overs, clinching victory by six wickets with 23 balls to spare.
Khadka’s innings was especially noteworthy because it marked Nepal’s inaugural victory in the Women’s Asia Cup. The ICC also praised the six-wicket win and Khadka’s not-out 72 as key highlights of the match.
2025: Nepal secures another narrow victory
The competition remained closely contested in 2025.
On May 19 at Terdthai Cricket Ground in Bangkok, UAE scored 114/7 in 20 overs at the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup Asia Qualifier. Esha Oza led the UAE with 39 runs from 39 balls, while Theertha Satish and Heena Hotchandani added 21 and 20 runs, respectively.
Nepal’s chase came down to the wire. Samjhana Khadka contributed 21 runs, Rubina Chhetry scored 23, and Indu Barma remained not out at 30 runs off 28 balls. Nepal reached a total of 115/5 in 19.3 overs, winning by five wickets with three balls to go. Barma received the Player of the Match honor.
This demonstrated Nepal’s proficiency in managing high-pressure situations while pursuing a modest total.
2026: UAE Women deliver an impressive performance
The most recent and arguably the most thrilling chapter in the UAE Women against Nepal Women Timeline took place on February 15, 2026.
The two teams clashed in the Women’s Asia Cup Rising Stars at Terdthai Cricket Ground in Bangkok. After being invited to bat first, UAE experienced a challenging start, reaching only 22/3 within the first six overs. It seemed that Nepal had secured an early advantage.
Then Esha Oza turned the game around.
Esha Oza’s stunning 125
UAE’s captain Esha Oza delivered one of the most outstanding individual performances in this matchup. She amassed 125 runs off 63 deliveries, smashing 14 boundaries and clearing the ropes nine times. Her tally of boundaries alone contributed 110 runs to her score.
Heena Hotchandani played a vital role alongside her, remaining not out with 45 runs from 38 balls. The duo of Oza and Hotchandani significantly revitalized UAE’s innings through a substantial fourth-wicket partnership. Ultimately, UAE posted a total of 189 runs for 4 wickets within their 20 overs.
Oza’s century marked her sixth in T20 format, an impressive milestone that positions her among the top female century scorers in T20 history.
This innings was especially noteworthy as UAE had been in a tough spot at 22 runs for 3 wickets. Rather than settling for a low score, Oza took the fight to Nepal’s bowlers and completely shifted the dynamics of the game.
Nepal’s strong response
After allowing 189 runs, Nepal didn’t back down.
Samjhana Khadka stood out as a significant batter again, scoring 58 runs off 39 deliveries. The captain, Puja Mahato, also contributed significantly with a score of 53 from 35 balls. Together, they enabled Nepal to mount a solid comeback and gave their side genuine encouragement in the run chase.
Nonetheless, the UAE continued to claim wickets at critical junctures. Ultimately, Nepal ended their innings at 171/5 after 20 overs, falling short by 18 runs.
Sita Rana Magar finished not out with 22 runs from 15 balls, and Roma Thapa added 9 runs from four balls. For UAE, Heena Hotchandani recorded figures of 2/25, and Suraksha Kotte obtained 2/30.
The final score summary was:
- UAE Women: 189/4 in 20 overs
- Nepal Women: 171/5 in 20 overs
- UAE Women won by 18 runs
- Player of the Match: Esha Oza
- Top scorer for UAE: Esha Oza – 125
- Top scorer for Nepal: Samjhana Khadka – 58
- Second top scorer for Nepal: Puja Mahato – 53
It is essential to mention that this match in 2026 took place in the Women’s Asia Cup Rising Stars, so the results should be distinguished from the official Women’s T20 International records until the match classification is verified. The ICC match center documents the outcome of the 2026 contest and Oza’s 125 runs separately.
UAE Women vs Nepal Women: Complete Overview
The matches between UAE Women and Nepal Women can be outlined with the key encounters noted below:
| Year | Tournament | Result | Key Score |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2017 | ICC Women’s World Twenty20 Qualifying Series | UAE won by 5 runs | UAE 79/7, Nepal 74/9 |
| 2019 | Thailand Women’s T20 Smash | Nepal won by 6 wickets | UAE 105/6, Nepal 106/4 |
| 2019 | T20 World Cup Asia Region Qualifier | Nepal won by 7 wickets | UAE 41, Nepal 45/3 |
| 2021 | T20 World Cup Asia Region Qualifier | UAE won by 48 runs | UAE 127/5, Nepal 79 |
| 2022 | ACC Women’s T20 Championship semi-final | No result | UAE 81 all out |
| 2024 | Women’s Asia Cup | Nepal won by 6 wickets | UAE 115/8, Nepal 118/4 |
| 2025 | T20 World Cup Asia Qualifier | Nepal won by 5 wickets | UAE 114/7, Nepal 115/5 |
| 2026 | Women’s Asia Cup Rising Stars | UAE won by 18 runs | UAE 189/4, Nepal 171/5 |
This historical outline demonstrates how closely matched the teams have remained. The existing head-to-head statistics show victories for both teams, indicating a rivalry that has not been dominated by a single side.
Who Made the Most Runs in the 2026 Game?
The 2026 match featured several remarkable batting performances.
For UAE, Esha Oza’s score of 125 off 63 balls was the standout moment. She struck 14 fours and nine sixes during her innings. Heena Hotchandani added 45 runs from 38 balls, providing necessary backing for Oza to elevate the score from 22/3 to 189/4.
From Nepal, Samjhana Khadka produced a score of 58 from 39 balls, with Puja Mahato contributing 53 runs from 35 balls. Their collaboration kept the chase alive for Nepal, yet UAE’s bowling unit maintained composure during the final overs.
The primary batting statistics were:
UAE Women
- Esha Oza — 125
- Heena Hotchandani — 45
Nepal Women
- Samjhana Khadka — 58
- Puja Mahato — 53
- Sita Rana Magar — 22
- Roma Thapa — 9
Significant Batting Achievements in the Rivalry
Looking ahead of 2026, numerous innings warrant specific attention.
Esha Oza’s score of 125 stands out as the top achievement from the most recent encounter. Additionally, Samjhana Khadka’s unbeaten 72 during the 2024 Women’s Asia Cup was a remarkable innings, as it led Nepal to triumph while pursuing a target of 116.
In the 2019 Thailand Women’s T20 Smash, Chaya Mughal contributed 31 runs and Esha Oza added 28 for the UAE, while Sita Rana Magar scored 37 runs for Nepal.
The year 2025 saw Esha Oza leading the UAE batting lineup once more with a score of 39, while Indu Barma’s not out 30 enabled Nepal to successfully navigate a tense chase.
Why This Rivalry Matters
The timeline of UAE Women versus Nepal Women represents more than mere game scores. It symbolizes the progress of women’s cricket within two aspiring associate cricket nations.
Nepal has consistently demonstrated their skill in chasing down targets under pressure, whereas the UAE has shown their batting prowess in achieving match-winning scores. Athletes like Esha Oza, Samjhana Khadka, Puja Mahato, Indu Barma, and Heena Hotchandani have progressively established themselves as vital participants in this rivalry.
The match in 2026 was particularly crucial, as the UAE countered Nepal’s victories in 2024 and 2025 with a strong performance. Oza’s remarkable 125 transformed the match and secured one of the UAE’s most significant victories over Nepal.
Conclusion
The comprehensive timeline of UAE Women versus Nepal Women illustrates a rivalry that has evolved from tightly contested regional matches into significant tournament confrontations.
The UAE clinched the first recorded encounter in 2017 by a narrow margin of five runs, and Nepal responded with substantial victories in 2019. The UAE had a clear advantage during the 2021 match, and the 2022 semi-final was nullified after the UAE was all out for 81 runs. Nepal then achieved remarkable triumphs in the 2024 Women’s Asia Cup and the 2025 World Cup Asia Qualifier.
However, 2026 was dominated by the UAE.
Esha Oza’s outstanding 125 runs from 63 deliveries, complemented by Heena Hotchandani’s 45, propelled the UAE to a total of 189/4. Nepal retaliated with Samjhana Khadka’s 58 runs and Puja Mahato’s 53, but ultimately, they concluded at 171/5. This meant the UAE emerged victorious by 18 runs.
This outcome adds yet another intriguing chapter to the history of these two teams. If past encounters are any indication, the forthcoming UAE-Nepal match could unveil an entirely new story.
