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Football

Machhindra Ascends to Summit Despite Deadlock; Day of Draws at ANFA Complex

It was a day marked by defensive resilience and missed opportunities at the ANFA Complex in Satdobato, as both fixtures in the ongoing National League ended scoreless. Despite being held to a frustrating 0-0 stalemate by Laligurans Association, Machhindra FC has managed to leapfrog their rivals and climb to the top of the league table. **The Title Race Tightens**. In the day’s marquee matchup, Machhindra FC looked to extend their dominance but faced a resolute Laligurans side. The draw marks the first time in five matches that Machhindra has dropped points this season. However, the solitary point earned was enough to push their tally to 13 points, moving them into the number one spot in the standings. However, their position at the summit is precarious. The unbeaten APF Club, currently trailing closely, holds a game in hand. Should APF secure a victory in their next outing, they will reclaim the league leadership. For the Laligurans Association, the result was a testament to their tactical discipline. This was their second draw in five matches, keeping them competitive in fifth place with 11 points, well within striking distance of the leaders. ![](https://bootballer.com/storage/media/posts/suwRAiZz7oalbcTwCzu1NHviMa3AkBLwqQsrH1l2.jpg) **Mid-Table Gridlock.** Earlier in the day, the opening fixture between Chitlang FC and Satdobato Youth Club followed a similar script, ending in a goalless draw. The result does little to separate the two sides in the league pecking order. After five rounds of play, both Satdobato and Chitlang sit level on 5 points. Their campaigns have been mirror images of one another so far, with both teams recording one win, two draws, and two losses.

Football

APF and Machhindra Maintain Perfect Starts as Title Race Heats Up at ANFA Complex

The race for the ANFA National League title is rapidly turning into a two-horse charge. Both Armed Police Force (APF) FC and Machhindra Football Club extended their perfect starts to the season on Wednesday. With their fourth consecutive victories, both sides now sit level on 12 points at the top of the table. They are distancing themselves from the chasing pack. It was a day of contrasting fortunes at the ANFA Complex in Satdobato. APF was forced to dig deep for a dramatic comeback victory. Machhindra, meanwhile, continued their clinical form with a commanding display. **Thokar Heroics Rescue APF** In the day's opening fixture, APF FC staged a spirited second-half revival and edged past Jawalakhel Youth Club 2-1, with Samiraj Thokar netting both goals. Jawalakhel, desperate to turn their season around, stunned the departmental side early. In the 20th minute, Dhabendra scored to give Jawalakhel a shock 1-0 lead, which they held until the break. However, the second half belonged to APF and their talisman, Thokar. He leveled the scoreline in the 58th minute, breathing new life into the contest. With the clock ticking down and a draw looming, Thokar struck again in the 82nd minute, firing home the decisive goal to break Jawalakhel's hearts and secure all three points. The victory marks APF’s fourth straight win. Previously, they triumphed over Friends Club (1-0), Church Boys United (4-1), and Sankata Club (2-1). For Jawalakhel, the result compounds a miserable start to the campaign. This was their third defeat in four matches. They had previously lost to Laligurans and Church Boys, with their solitary win coming against Shree Bhagwati Club. ![](https://bootballer.com/storage/media/posts/k55z4oBWTuw3tvCogwpOU2wnSFjf2Z9nsCtuGthU.jpg) **Machhindra Cruises Past Chitlang** In the day's second match, Machhindra Club earned a convincing 3-1 win over Chitlang FC to stay level with APF. Machhindra asserted its dominance early. Pradip Budhathoki opened the scoring in the 30th minute, giving his side a 1-0 lead at halftime. The floodgates opened after the interval. Jonathan Zorilla doubled the advantage in the 65th minute. Just four minutes later, Alzon Alijonov struck to make it 3-0. The goal effectively put the game to bed. Chitlang responded quickly with a consolation goal from Bigyan Khadka in the 70th minute, but they could not threaten Machhindra’s 100% record. The win follows Machhindra’s impressive run against NRT (1-0), Manang Marsyangdi Club (2-1), and Planning Boys United (2-0). Chitlang, meanwhile, suffered its second consecutive defeat following a heavy 5-1 loss to Tribhuvan Army Club.

Football

Tharu’s Late Double Inspires Planning Boys Comeback; Army and Laligurans Share the Spoils

KATHMANDU — Off the bench, captain Faguram Tharu led Planning Boys United to a dramatic 4-2 win over Satdobato Youth Club at ANFA Complex on Tuesday, while Laligurans Association was held to a frustrating draw with Tribhuvan Army Football Club. **Tharu’s Late Heroics Sink Satdobato** In the day’s key match, Planning Boys captain Faguram Tharu delivered a perfect script. With the match delicately balanced at 2-2 in the 74th minute, Planning Boys suffered a blow as left-winger Shymu Murmu was forced off due to injury. Entering as his replacement, Tharu wasted no time making an impact. Tharu needed less than five minutes to make his mark; meeting a cross, he powered a header into the net to break the deadlock. The momentum carried him forward—by the 83rd minute, he struck again, pouncing on a rebound to deliver a left-footed shot past the keeper and seal a thrilling 4-2 victory. Late pressure from Satdobato in the final seven minutes mattered little; the damage was already done. Earlier, Satdobato’s Sobirov Bobirshoh scored in the 21st minute, but Alex Villen equalized for Planning Boys in first-half stoppage time. Satdobato suffered a second defeat after losing to New Road Team, while Planning Boys earned their second win, following their 1-0 victory over Nepal Police Club. ![](https://bootballer.com/storage/media/posts/16Shaa08SA9mPz9CjQ2lZur7Mh0PhHnnNkGKfIJJ.jpg) **Laligurans Reclaim Top Spot Despite Stalemate** In the early match, Laligurans Association and Tribhuvan Army Club played to a goalless draw. Both sides returned to the turf at the ANFA Headquarters in Satdobato. Guilty of squandering clear-cut opportunities, they watched the defenses ultimately prevail. The 0-0 draw stopped Laligurans’ three-match winning run, but the point returned them to the league summit with 10 points. For the departmental giants, Tribhuvan Army Club, the season has been a mixed bag. This was their second draw in four matches, leaving them mid-table with five points.

Cricket

World Cup Bound: Dutch Women Make History in Nepal as Bangladesh Cruises to ICC Women’s T20 World Cup 2026

World Cup Bound: Dutch Women Make History in Nepal as Bangladesh Cruises to ICC Women’s T20 World Cup 2026

KATHMANDU — History was made in the Himalayas today. The Netherlands secured a maiden spot at the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup. Meanwhile, Bangladesh booked their ticket to England with a clinical display in the qualifiers. The two sides emerged triumphant from the high-stakes Super Six stage in Nepal, locking in their spots for the marquee event later this year. For Bangladesh, qualification is a continuation of a legacy dating back to 2014; for the Dutch, it marks a watershed moment—their first-ever entry into the main draw of the tournament. **Dutch Delight: A Historic Breakthrough** At the Tribhuvan University Ground in Kirtipur, the Netherlands made history for Associate cricket. They defeated the USA by 21 runs via the DLS method. This win confirmed their arrival on the big stage. After choosing to bowl, the Dutch attack was both disciplined and potent. Hannah Landheer took 3 for 30, while Caroline de Lange supported her with 2 for 27. Their combined efforts stifled the American lineup, restricting them to 129 for 7 from their 20 overs. In reply, the Dutch quickly got ahead of the asking rate. This was crucial with grey clouds looming. Heather Siegers gave an initial spark, hitting 28 off just 12 balls. Phebe Molkenboer then anchored the innings and remained unbeaten on 46 when rain halted play in the 12th over. At 90 for 2, the Dutch were comfortably ahead of par. Rain did not relent, sealing a famous victory and sparking jubilant scenes in their camp. ![](https://bootballer.com/storage/media/posts/yaXpkcKAYd4mCXu2l1aNhhE5tyzfxQGedHRFvX3F.jpg) **The Tigresses Roar: Bangladesh Hold Firm** Across the valley in Mulpani, Bangladesh kept their tournament record perfect. They overcame a shaky start and dismantled Thailand by 39 runs. Sent in to bat, the Tigresses faced an immediate crisis. They lost opener Dilara Akter on the first ball and Sharmin Akhter soon after. Two wickets down with almost nothing on the board, the pressure was immense. However, the middle order showed grit and class. Wicketkeeper-batter Juairiya Ferdous (56 off 45) joined Sobhana Mostary (59 off 42) in a match-defining partnership of 110 runs. Their counter-attack stabilized the innings and pushed Bangladesh to a competitive 165 for 8, despite a late flurry of wickets. Thailand’s chase never gained momentum against a relentless Bangladeshi attack. Fast bowler Marufa Akter impressed with 3 for 25. Ritu Moni and Shorna Akter took two wickets each, leaving Thailand well short of the target. **The Road to England 2026** With the 2026 edition set to expand to 12 teams, the stakes are higher than ever. Bangladesh and the Netherlands can now begin preparing for the English summer after successfully navigating the qualifiers. However, the drama in Nepal is far from over. Two spots remain in the Super Sixes. Now that the frontrunners have qualified, a fierce four-way battle is set between Scotland, Ireland, the USA, and Thailand. All are desperate to join the elite in England later this year.

World Cup Dreams Dashed: Batting Collapse Against Scotland Eliminates Nepal from Global Qualifiers

World Cup Dreams Dashed: Batting Collapse Against Scotland Eliminates Nepal from Global Qualifiers

KIRTIPUR — Nepal’s hopes of securing a historic spot in the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup came to a heartbreaking end on Monday, as a catastrophic batting collapse handed Scotland a comprehensive 72-run victory at the TU Cricket Ground. The defeat confirms Nepal’s exit from the Global Qualifier at the group stage, leaving the hosts with a record of three losses and a solitary win against Zimbabwe. Chasing a competitive but achievable target of 141, the Nepali batting lineup crumbled under pressure, skittled out for a mere 68 runs in 13.5 overs. The chase never found momentum, with the home side losing wickets in clusters. Openers Bindu Rawal and Roma Thapa offered the only notable resistance, scoring 14 runs apiece, while veteran Rubina Chhetry chipped in with 10. No other batter managed to reach double figures. To compound Nepal's misfortunes, captain Indu Barma was forced to retire hurt after scoring 5 runs off 5 balls, effectively ending the innings with Nepal nine wickets down. **A Tale of Two Innings** The heavy loss overshadowed what had been a spirited start by the home team. After winning the toss and electing to field, Nepal’s bowlers came out firing. Making her appearance in the Global Qualifier, Manisha Upadhyay delivered a sensational opening spell. She rocked the Scots in the very first over, removing opener Kathryn Bryce and Darcy Carter to send the Kirtipur crowd into a frenzy. Upadhyay finished with stellar figures of 4 for 17 from her four overs. Former captain Rubina Chhetry supported the attack well, claiming 3 wickets for 23 runs, while Riya Sharma, Sita Rana Magar, and Kabita Joshi picked up a wicket each. However, despite being reduced to a precarious position, Scotland recovered through a gritty, unbeaten 45 from Priyanaz Chatterji. Valuable contributions from Ailsa Lister (22), Sarah Bryce (18), and Megan McColl (17) helped the visitors post a fighting total of 140 all out in 20 overs—a total that ultimately proved far beyond Nepal's reach. ![](https://bootballer.com/storage/media/posts/y3KgH3zeVNnTaHWbI4oq5ZADLdROOwRFigQiv4fj.jpg) **The Road Ahead** With this result, the Super Six lineup is now set. From Group B, the Netherlands, Scotland, and Thailand have advanced, while Nepal and Zimbabwe have bowed out of the tournament. Meanwhile, in Group A, Bangladesh, Ireland, and the USA have secured their spots in the next round, while Papua New Guinea and Namibia have been eliminated. For Nepal, the tournament ends on a note of "what could have been," as a promising bowling performance was undone by a fragile batting display on the biggest stage.

Mahato’s Record-Breaking Fifty Keeps Nepal’s World Cup Dreams Alive

Mahato’s Record-Breaking Fifty Keeps Nepal’s World Cup Dreams Alive

**KIRTIPUR** — Facing the precipice of elimination, Nepal found a hero in Vice-Captain Puja Mahato. In a high-pressure match at Tribhuvan University International Cricket Ground, Mahato anchored a tense chase. She played a sublimely paced, unbeaten half-century. Her effort guided Nepal to a 6-wicket victory over Zimbabwe. The win marks Nepal's first triumph in the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup Global Qualifier. More importantly, it keeps their faint hopes of reaching the Super Six alive. After back-to-back losses to Thailand and the Netherlands, the hosts entered Sunday’s fixture needing a win. They responded with grit, chasing down Zimbabwe's target of 130 with three balls remaining. **The Chase: Mahato Stands Tall** Chasing 130, Nepal’s innings hinged on Mahato’s composure. She finished 52 not out off 50 balls, including four boundaries and two sixes. In doing so, Mahato etched her name in the record books, becoming the first Nepali woman to score three half-centuries in T20 Internationals. She didn't play a lone hand, however. Opener Bindu Rawal fell early for 15 (lbw). Captain Indu Barma contributed a steady 22 before being bowled. The chase hit a wobble when veteran Sita Rana Magar was forced to retire hurt on 11. Mahato remained constant. Alongside Rubina Chhetri (2 not out), she steered the ship home in 19.3 overs. ![](https://bootballer.com/storage/media/posts/1M39BaDIEmnKhrzN3NyAlVvg5g518ZzF2I2h9qFh.jpg) **First Innings: Bowlers Restrict Zimbabwe** Earlier in the day, Nepal won the toss and elected to field—a decision that paid dividends early on. Despite a fighting half-century from Zimbabwe’s Kelis Ndhlovu (52) and a solid 34 from Beloved Biza, the visitors managed 129/6 in their 20 overs. Nepal’s bowlers hunted as a pack. Riya Sharma led with 2 wickets. Kabita Kunwar, Puja Mahato, Sita Rana Magar, and Rubina Chhetri each took one. They stifled the run flow in the middle overs. For Zimbabwe, this fourth consecutive defeat confirms their exit from the tournament, leaving them pointless in the group stage. ![](https://bootballer.com/storage/media/posts/ehzqy5kFdzcMlJ6GhTBVkQNy07asV3mFDy0T4y4s.jpg) **The Equation: All Eyes on Monday** While the victory brings relief to the home crowd, the job is far from done. Nepal’s earlier defeats—by 8 wickets to Thailand and by 2 runs to the Netherlands—have left them in a tough spot. To advance to the Super Six, Nepal must defeat Scotland on Monday by a large enough margin to surpass the Net Run Rate (NRR) of their rivals. Simply winning may not be enough; if they fall short in improving their NRR or lose the match, Nepal will be eliminated in the group stages. Monday at Kirtipur promises to be a thriller.

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