Mumbai girls Humairaa and Saima shine, but Team D lose their first in Senior Women’s T20 Challenger
Minnu Mani-led Team C handed a crushing seven wicket defeat to Shafali Verma-led Team D on Sunday in Ranchi during the Senior Women’s T20 Challenger Trophy.
Riding on Humairaa Kaazi’s half-century, Team D scored 122/9 in 20 overs. Opening the batting, Kaazi (55) smacked seven fours. The Mumbaikar held the innings together as she batted till the 18th over. Team D lost their captain Verma (1) in the second over and power-hitter Kiran Navgire (5) in the third as they were dismissed by Yamuna Rana and Titas Sadhu, respectively. Later, Amrita Joseph (30) and Tanuja Kanwer (21) added some useful runs to help their side post a respectable score on board. However, Team D could not maximise the death overs as leg spinner Saranya Gadwal (3/20) struck twice in the 18th over and once in the 20th.
Chasing 123 at just over six runs per over, Team C overhauled the target in 17 overs with seven wickets in hand. Opening batter Shweta Sehrawat provided the perfect start as she mustered 46 off 35, hitting seven fours. Despite losing their other opener Vrinda Dinesh (6) in the third over, Team C did not find themselves in trouble as Tripti Singh (20) and skipper Minnu Manni (36 not out) steered the side home. Like with the bat, with the ball, for Team D, another Mumbai girl dazzled. Right-arm speedster Saima Thakor, who started the proceedings claimed two wickets conceding 26 runs in her four overs. She accounted for the opening pair of Team C.
On Tuesday, Team C will clash against Team B for their second match of the tournament, while Team D will enjoy a longer break and play their next match against Team D on Thursday.
Brief Scores: Team D 122/9 in 20 overs (H Kaazi 55; S Gadwal 3/20) lost to Team C 123/3 in 17 overs (S Sehrawat 46; S Thakor 2/26) by 7 wickets