CHANDIGARH, SEPT 20 :Punjab defeated Himachal Pradesh Cricket Association by four wickets in the opening match of the inaugural Rama Atray Women Cricket Tournament at the Government Model Senior Secondary School, Sector 26 here today.
Himachal opened with Neena Chaudhary and Nikita Chauhan and the two made a sedate start scoring 15 of 5.2 overs before Nikita Chauhan was caught by Harpreet Kaur at point of a uppish square drive of medium pacer Sunaina Saini for 10. Kashish Verma then joined Meena Chaudhary and was snapped by wicket keeper Manisha Badhan off medium pacer Diksha Dogra for 6. At this stage Himachal skipper Sushama Verma who was part of the Indian women team which toured England recently, joined Kashish Verma and added 12 runs for the third wicket before Kashish Verma was caught by Sunaina Saini at long off off Harpreet for 4.
Himachal kept on losing their wickets at regular interval and at one stage were 71 for 8 in 31.2 overs. Sushma Verma who was holding one end up was joined by Sapna Randhawa and the duo put on the most enterprising partnership of 57 runs for the ninth wicket in 11.4 overs before Sapna Randhawa was trapped in front by Mehak Kesar for 20 off 35 balls inclusive of 2 boundaries. Sushma Verma who had been batting with great poise and grace was the last player to get out after scoring brilliant 62 off 103 balls studded with 8 boundaries. Himachal innings finally ended at 137 in 45.2 overs. The bowling honours for Punjab were shared by Mehak Kesar (3 for 28) and Sneh Rana (2 for 36).
Replying Punjab made a disastrous start losing their opener Jasia Gul before she could open her account being snapped by wicket keeper Sushma off medium pacer Renuka Singh reducing Punjab to 2 for 01 in 1.5 overs. At this stage Parveen Khan joined opener Reva Arora and the duo took the score to 60 by adding 58 runs in 16 overs before Reva Arora was caught by Preety at mid on of Harleen for 26 off 42 balls with 3 boundaries. Thereafter Punjab lost two quick wickets of captain Anureet Kaur who was caught by Kashish at short fine leg off Harleen for 3 and parveen Khan who was caught and bowled by Nikita for 29 off 76 balls with fifth boundaries. Sneh Rana unbeaten 16 and Manisha Badhan 16 put on 22 runs for the 5 wicket before Manisha Badhan was caught and bowled by Nikita while Renu Verma was caught by Sapna at Mid wicket off Harleen for 1. Harpreet Kaur finished the game for Punjab notching up an unbeaten 21 off 47 balls with 3 boundaries and being involved in a unbroken stand of 44 runs for the seventh wicket with Sneh Rana.
For Himachal Harleen (3 for 25) and Nikita Chauhan (2 for 25) shared the spoils. Sneh Rana for her all-round performance got the women of the match award.
Earlier, the teams were introduced to the chief guest Mrs. Sudha Sharma, IRS (Retd.) Ex.Chairperson Board of Direct Taxes, Govt. of India.
Brief scores:HPCA: 137 all out in 45.2 overs (Sushma Verma 62, Sapna Randhawa 20 Nikita Chauhan 10, Mehak Kesar 3 for 28 and Sneh Rana 2 for 36, Diksha Dogra 1 for 14, Sunaina Saini 1 for 17, Harpreet Kaur 1 for 13 Anureet Kaur 1 for 7).
Punjab: 138 for 6 in 47.1 overs (Rewa Arora 26, Parveen Khan 29, Sneh Rana not out 16, Manisha Badhan 16, Harpreet Kaur not out 21, Harleen 3 for 25, Nikita Chauhan 2 for 25 and Renuka Singh 1 for 24).