Team E pip Team D to register back-to-back wins in Senior Women’s T20 Challenger Trophy

In a low scoring contest, Team E registered their second straight win in the ongoing Senior Women’s T20 Challenger Trophy as they handed a five-wicket defeat to Team D on Thursday in Ranchi.

Chasing a modest 92 for victory, Team E overhauled the target in 16.2 overs. Wicket-keeper and opening batter Nandini Kashyap led the run chase from the front with an unbeaten 48 from 50. The 20-year-old right-hander muscled eight fours in her match winning knock. Though Tanuja Kanwer (3/2) and Saima Thakor (2/27) picked two wickets in the first two overs, the duo could not inflict further damage. Left arm tweaker Kanwer bowled a fantastic spell of four overs, which included two maidens.

Early in the day, Team D were reduced to 91/9 in 20 overs. Though opener Humairaa Kaazi (20) held fort from one end, she kept losing partners at the other. Her opening partner and India batter Shafali Verma, who was recently dropped from the national squad for the upcoming ODI series against Australia, was dismissed for a golden duck. The spin twins in Radha Yadav (3/8) and Prakashika Naik (2/14) claimed five wickets between them to break the back of Team D’s batting.

The two teams have had contrasting starts to the tournament. While Team E have won both their matches, Team D have lost theirs. Team E will take on Team C in their next match on Saturday and Team D will meet Team B on the same day.

Brief Scores: Team D 91/9 in 20 overs (H Kaazi 20; R Yadav 3/8) lost to Team 93/5 in 16.2 overs (N Kashyap 48 not out; T Kanwer 3/2) by 5 wickets