The men from Nepalgunj might have proved nothing in the national level, but the women are certainly dominating as they lifted the champion’s trophy of the Wai Wai Women’s National Cricket Tournament remaining undefeated throughout.
Region No. 5 Nepalgunj won the women’s national trophy for the second time defeating neighbors Region No. 6 Baitadi by 18 runs in the final at the TU Cricket Ground.
Nepalgunj scored 58 in 24.1 overs and affected five run-outs in Baitadi’s innings to restrict them for 40/8 in allotted 25 overs. Nepalgunj had won the first national last year finishing atop among four participating regions after league round.
Chasing an achievable total, Baitadi got the worst possible start losing five wickets in eight balls. The top three batters were run-out for nought while captain Nary Thapa took two wickets in two balls as Baitadi went down to 3/5.
From there, it was a heavy task for Baitadi whose hopes of mending the damage were struck hard by two more run-outs. At 13/7, their hopes were vanished and the only thing they did well in their innings was to bat out allotted overs.
Maya Rawat (12 not out off 84 balls) and Manisha Thapa (six) ensured the team do not lose by large margin.
Earlier, Ritu Kanojiya won the toss and invited Nepalgunj to bat first. The defending champions had a brilliant start adding 29 runs in 10 overs for the opening stand. Sarita Thapa Magar (13 off 23 balls) and Sita Rana Magar (six) largely took advantage of extras.
From there, Baitadi took the charge and grabbed wickets regularly making it 33/4 and then 44/8. Nepalgunj were eventually bowled out in the last over for 58. Man of the match Janki Bhatta (3/10), Manisha Thapa (3/11) and Ritu (2/6) were on the song.
“It was not an easy win,” Nepalgunj captain Nary Thapa said. “We benefitted from their lack of communication during running.”
Ritu won the best bowler and player of the series. She had scored 28 runs and taken nine wickets while Bhairahawa’s captain Nitu Thapa was awarded best batter title for her 28 runs in four matches. Winners Nepalgunj took home Rs. 25,000 cash prize while Baitadi pocketed Rs 15,000.
Cricket Association of Nepal (CAN) will name the probables for the under-19 camp from the event. Nepal is participating in the inaugural ACC U-19 Women’s Cup in December.
All Matches of Wai Wai Women’s National Cricket Tournament 2008
September 22: League Matches
RN 3 – 62/9 in 20 overs (Nira Rajopadhyay 14, Sita Rana Magar 2/4, Mary Thapa Magar 2/11) lost by RN 5 – 63/6 in 17.2 overs (Samjhana Sharma 11*, Keshari Chaudhary 9*) by four wickets. WoM: Sita Rana Magar
RN2 – 7 all out in 10 overs (Ritu Kanojiya 3/2, Anjali Chand 2/0, Rekha Rawal 2/1) lost to RN6 – 8/0 in 0.2 overs (Roshani Bohara 4*) by 10 wickets. WoM: Ritu Kanojiya
September 23: League Matches
RN6 – 81/7 in 20 overs (Ritu Kanojiya 23*, Roshani Bohara 11, Sabita Chhetry 2/19) defeated RN4 – 50 all out in 19.5 overs (Nitu Thapa 18, Ritu Kanojiya ¾, Sonu Khadka 3/11) by 31 runs. WoM: Ritu Kanojiya
RN1 – 29/5 in 20 overs (Sita Shahi 1/1) lost to RN5 – 30/0 in 8.3 overs (Sita Rana 8*, Sarita Thapa Magar 4*) by 10 wickets. WoM: Sita Shahi
September 24: League Matches
RN3 vs RN1: RN1 – 60/6 in 20 overs (Benja Rayamajhi 11*, Silu Rijal 2/7) abandoned due to rain.
RN2 vs RN4: Match abandoned due to rain.
September 25: First Semifinal
RN3 – 39/7 in 20 overs (Geeta Chudal 14, Janaki Bhatta 2/8) lost to RN6 40/2 (Rekha Rawal 15*) by 8 wickets. WoM: Janaki Bhatta
September 26: Second Semifinal
RN4 – 55 all out in 25 overs (Nitu Thapa 10, Sita Shahi 3/9, Samjhana Sharma 3/10) lost to RN5 – 56/4 in 20.1 overs (Sarita Thapa 12, Sita Rana Magar 9, Manu Khawash 1/13) by 6 wickets. WoM: Sita Shahi
September 27: Final
RN5 vs RN6
RN5 – 58 all out in 24.1 overs (Sarita Thapa 13, Trishna Singh 8*, Janaki Bhatta 3/10, Manisha Thapa 3/11, Ritu Kanojiya 2/6) defeated RN6 – 40/8 in 25 overs (Maya Rawat 12*, Nary Thapa 2/10) by 18 runs. WoM: Janaki Bhatta
Photos: NepalSportsPhoto.com