The last game of the Women’s T20 Challenge league was played between Harmanpreet Kaur-led Supernovas and Smriti Mandhana-led Trailblazers on Sharjah cricket stadium in which Supernovas won the match by 2 runs.
Supernovas, batting first after winning the toss, posted 146 runs for 6 on the board in the first innings of the game.
Chamari Athapaththu and Priya Punia opened the innings for the Supernovas against the Trailblazers. The duo, together, gave a solid start to the team, playing a stunning 89-run partnership for the first wicket. Priya after playing 30 runs off 37 balls, was dismissed by Salma Khatun.
Opener Athapaththu batted brilliantly and completed his half-century. She smashed 67 runs off 48 balls with the help of 5 fours and 4 sixes in 48 balls. Later in 16.2 overs, she was dismissed by Harleen Deol.
For the Trailblazers, Jhulan Goswami, Salma Khatoon and Harleen Deol took 1 wicket each.
Now the final game of the league will be played between Smriti Mandhana-led Trailblazers and Harmanpreet-led Supernovas on November 9 on the same Venue.
Winning Skipper, Harmanpreet Kaur’s Reaction:
“It was very close, but hats off to our bowlers. Finally, they withstood the pressure and bowled according to the field. All the girls wanted to win and it showed in the end. The way we started, we were thinking of 150+ but what we got was a defendable total because it was helping the spinners if you bowl a little short and give them singles rather than boundaries. I know this total wasn’t so big. We had to bowl three good overs. Finally, after a good partnership, we were able to get breakthroughs and they got us back in the game. Poonam bowled only one over because the lefties were batting. That’s the only reason. Today there was not much dew. In the first game, there was a lot of dew. Today hardly any. We will try our best. After winning, our confidence is high and hope we do it again in the Final.”
Losing Skipper, Smriti Mandhana’s Reaction:
“Definitely. The way it went in the last two or three overs, I think the girls did really well to get us close. Nevertheless, the way Deepti and Harleen took it to the last ball, it was a great effort. There was quite a bit of dew around. I saw that after the first innings. Would have been difficult for their spinners. We were looking to win the match. We really didn’t think about what the qualification scenarios were. We didn’t think about which team we’d play. Hopefully, we can get the batter of them in the final. The way our bowlers bowled in the first match, this match is a wake-up call for them and the fielding unit. I think we gave them 15-20 runs extra in the fielding and we’ll work hard on that before the Final.”
Player of the Match, Chamari Athapaththu’s Reaction:
“I played my normal game. I have to score runs as I am a senior player in this team. I know my responsibility and role in the team. I try and share my knowledge with the youngsters. I want to improve the game all around the world and share whatever I know with the Indian girls and everyone. This was a must-win game for us and I was a little bit worried in the last 3-4 overs. Finally, we won and that’s good. We are a champion side and know how to win a game.”
