By a Staff Reporter
Sudurpaschim Province bagged their maiden National Women’s Cricket Tournament title defeating Province 1 by 6 wickets with 1 ball in spare.
Opening with the bat, Province 1 scored 101/5 in the scheduled 20 overs at Janata Cricket Park in Itahari. Opener Kajal Shrestha top-scored 48 runs off 63 deliveries with 8 fours remaining unbeaten. With Skipper Rubina Chhetry departing for 14, Apsari Begam contributed the second-highest of 15 runs for the runners-up.
While Sabnam Rai left the crease following a golden duck, Lakita Rajbanshi 4 and Smirti Katuwal 3 contributed in a single figure. Sangita Rai remained not out for 2 off 2 deliveries.
Sudurpaschim’s pacer Manisha Chaudhary picked 2 wickets from 4 overs expending 18 runs. Ritu Kanoujiya added one further.
In return, Sudurpaschim chased the winning target of 102 runs in 19.5 overs losing 4 wickets. With Skipper Bindu Rawal (7) finding an early exit, the Star performer of the semi-final Kabita Kunwar collected 12 runs.
Moreover, Rubi Poddar and Dolly Bhatta contributed 8 and 22 runs in Sudurpaschim’s historic title. After losing Dolly Bhatta in 14.3 overs, Samjhana Khadka (27), and Kabita Joshi (19) shared a 30 runs partnership to win Sudurpaschim the maiden title of the National Women’s Cricket Tournament.
Province 1’s Sabnam Rai, Rubina Chhetry, Sangita Rai, and Hiranmayee Roy claimed one wicket each.
The champions Sudurpaschim Province won NRs. 5 Lakhs cash prize along with the title. Furthermore, runners-up Province 1 pursed NRs. 3 Lakhs.
