Patna: Team Ganga defeated Team Narmada by 50 runs in the opening match of the first Straight Drive Invitational Women’s Cricket Tournament recognised by Bihar Cricket Association (BCA) at Urja Stadium here on Saturday. In the second match of the day, Team Godavari defeated Team Kaveri by 20 runs.
Team Ganga won the toss and decided to bat first. Team Ganga scored 178 runs for five wickets in 22 overs with the help of Nikki Kumari’s 65 runs. In reply, despite, captain Yashita Singh (41 runs) and Shikha Singh (40 runs) Team Narmada failed to achieve the target and lost the match by 50 runs.
In the second match, Team Godavari won the toss and decided to bat first. Godavari scored 90 runs losing 9 wickets in 22 overs with the help of Swarnima’s 22, Komal’s unbeaten 25 and Khushbu Kumari’s 17 runs. In reply, Team Kaveri got out for 70 in 20.5 overs. Rachna S scored 25 runs for Kaveri. Apoorva took three wickets for 13 runs in 5 overs for Team Godavari.
Earlier, the tournament was inaugurated by Commissioner of Patna Division, Kumar Ravi and Secretary, Finance Department, Government of Bihar, Lokesh Kumar Singh. They were also introduced to the players. Organizing Secretary Mohan Kumar Sinha welcomed the guests while Premnath Khanna, Vice President of Straight Drive proposed a vote of thanks. Many dignitaries including former Ranji player Nikhilesh Ranjan, Ram Kumar, former cricketer Rajesh Sinha, former women cricketer Shikha Sonia, media coordinator Rupak Kumar were present on the occasion. National commentator Suresh Kumar Mishra anchored the programme. Umpires were Rajesh Kumar Puttu and Jasim Ahmed while scoring was done by Nitesh.
Brief scores
Team Ganga: 178 for 5 wickets in 22 overs, Kumari Nishtha 14, Nikki Kumari 65, Pragati Singh 14, Deepanjali 26, Tejashwi not out 17 Narmada Bowling: Preeti Kumari 1/16, Dolly Kumari 2/28, Shikha Singh 1/9
Team Narmada: 128 for 5 wickets in 22 overs Yashita Singh 41, Shikha Singh 40, Team Ganga Bowling: Nutan Singh 2/30, Kumari Nishtha 1/25, run out-2
Team Godavari: 90 for 9; Khushboo 17, Swarnima 22, Komal 25 not out, Extra 8, Wicket Preeti 4/18, Shobhana 2/17, Rachna 1/14, Roopa 1/10
Team Kaveri: 70 all out in 20.5 overs, Preeti 11, Rachna 25, Roopa 7, spare 15, wickets- Apoorva 3/13, Neepu 1/13, Bhagyashree 2/10, Aparna 1/11
Sunday’s fixtures:
First match: Godavari vs Narmada from 8:30 am
Second Match: Ganga vs Kaveri from 12:30 pm
