Kuala Lumpur, October 7, 2025 — Nepal captain Indu Barma has etched her name in history as the first Nepali woman cricketer to cross 1,000 runs in Twenty20 Internationals (T20Is). The all-rounder achieved the landmark with an unbeaten 48-run knock against Malaysia in the fourth T20I at Bayuemas Oval, guiding Nepal to a series-levelling win.
A Historic Milestone for Nepali Women’s Cricket
Barma reached the milestone in her 77th T20I appearance, becoming the first woman from Nepal to reach the four-digit mark in international T20 cricket. The 27-year-old entered the match needing 15 runs to achieve the feat and reached the mark with a fine-leg boundary in the 17th over — a shot that will go down as one of the defining moments in Nepal’s women’s cricket journey.
Her unbeaten 48 off 39 balls not only secured victory for Nepal but also took her career tally to 1,034 runs, marking a proud moment for both her and the national team.
From Early Beginnings to Record-Breaking Success
Indu Barma has been a familiar face in Nepali cricket since 2010, when she represented the country at the ACC U19 Women’s Championship in Singapore. However, her official international statistics only began to count after the ICC granted full Women’s T20I status to all member nations in July 2018.
Barma’s official T20I debut came during the Thailand Women’s T20 Smash in January 2019, where Nepal played against China. Though she didn’t get to bat or bowl in that match, she quickly became one of Nepal’s most reliable performers in subsequent tournaments.
By the end of that event, she had already shown promise — finishing as Nepal’s second-highest run-scorer behind Sita Rana Magar. Over the next six years, Barma’s consistency with both bat and ball made her an irreplaceable member of the squad.
Malaysia : Her Favourite Rival
Interestingly, Malaysia has been Indu Barma’s most familiar opponent. Tuesday’s match marked her 15th T20I against Malaysia, the most by any Nepali cricketer against a single opponent. Her 48 off 39 balls* was her highest score versus Malaysia, surpassing her previous best of 32 runs made in June 2023.
In total, Barma has scored 238 runs in 14 innings against Malaysia, and Nepal now hold nine wins in 15 encounters between the two sides. Her composure and match awareness have repeatedly proven vital in close contests.
A Complete All-Rounder and Leader
Barma’s contributions go beyond batting. The right-arm medium pacer has taken 40 wickets in 46 innings and holds 29 career catches, underlining her value as a genuine all-rounder. Since taking over as captain in November 2023, she has been instrumental in developing a balanced and confident side.
Under her leadership, Nepal have shown steady improvement — from fielding standards to middle-order stability — key factors behind their success in Malaysia.
Chasing 1,000: Who’s Next?
Two of Barma’s long-time teammates are not far behind in the 1,000-run club chase.
- Sita Rana Magar has scored 965 runs in 63 matches, while
- Rubina Chhetri, Nepal’s most capped player with 78 appearances, has 936 runs and remains the only Nepali woman with a T20I century.
Magar could potentially reach the milestone in fewer matches, but she has not featured in Nepal’s last two games. Both are expected to join Barma soon in the elite list.
A Symbol of Dedication and Progress
Indu Barma’s achievement is a reflection of her perseverance and the growth of Nepali women’s cricket. From limited exposure and facilities to becoming an internationally recognized leader, her journey mirrors the transformation of women’s sports in Nepal.
With upcoming ACC and ICC qualifying tournaments on the horizon, Barma’s milestone serves as motivation for a new generation of cricketers aspiring to follow in her footsteps.
🔹 Match Recap
Malaysia Women: 111/6 (20 overs)
Nepal Women: 112/3 (18.2 overs) — Indu Barma 48*, Rubina Chhetri 23
Result: Nepal won by 7 wickets
Series: Nepal level 2–2 (five-match T20I series)
