Outclasses Bengal by 10-wickets in lopsided finals

Mumbai registered an authoritative 10-wicket win with as many as 45-balls to spare against Bengal, while chasing an under par target of 86 in the Day- Night finals of the BCCI organised Senior Women's T20 Trophy tournament that was played at the Wankhede Stadium, Mumbai.

In the process the Humaira Kaazi led Mumbai side retained the coveted trophy for the second year in row, amidst huge cheers from few hundred diehard fans, Mumbai Cricket Association office bearers including its President Ajinkya Naik and Apex committee members, Mumbai Women team selectors among others. 

Mumbai Opener Vrushali Bhagat and Humairaa dominated the rival bowlers and scored freely during their entreating 86 runs unbeaten first wicket partnership off 75 balls to steer the host home in 12.3 overs. Vrushali was unbeaten on 45 from 39 balls which included six hits to the fence while her experienced skipper Humairaa and Player of the Series contributed 41 runs from 36 balls laced with five boundaries and one six at the other end in Mumbai’s emphatic win.

Earlier electing to bat first after winning the toss Saika Ishaque led Bengal side were bowled out for a portly total of 85 in the final ball of their allotted 20 overs, at the back of disciplined bowling by the Mumbai bowlers backed by some electric fielding throughout the first innings. The visitors in fact lost four wickets for mere two runs in an eventful final over off-spinner and Player of the Match Jagravi Pawar (3/13), with wicket keeper Khushi Bhatia effecting a run-out off a well set all-rounder Titas Sadhu (17). Earlier Khushi had taken a superb bat and pad catch diving forward off no.3 batter Tanushree Sarkar (5) on Jagravi bowling. Jagravi was well supported by left-arm spinner Soumya Singh (2/11) and was responsible for destroying the rival batting. The same came at the back of Mumbai pacer Sayali Satghare (1/7) providing an early breakthrough in the third over of the innings by inducing attacking Richa Ghosh (4) into playing a false stroke off a slow bouncer, only to be caught by her fellow pacer Saima Thakor at mid-on. Opener Dhara Gujjar and lower middle order batter Hirishita Basu were Bengal’s leading run-scorers with 26 and 18 runs respectively.

MCA President, Ajinkya Naik who handed the winning Trophy to Mumbai skipper Humairaa Kaazi, praised the efforts of the Mumbai team and announced an additional cash award of Rs 40 lakh to the winning team and said, “Congratulations to the Mumbai Senior Women Team on this incredible T20 trophy victory! Your hard work and dedication has made us proud. In recognition of this achievement, the MCA will match the BCCI prize money of 40 lakh and offer an equal amount of Rs 40 lakh (total Rs 80 lakh). This win will inspire every young women cricketer in Mumbai to dream big and strive for excellence. Well done, Team Mumbai!”

Earlier on Sunday, Mumbai produced a brilliant collective performance and registered a comfortable 31-run victory against Uttarakhand in the first semi-finals of the Senior Women's T-20 Trophy at the Wankhede Stadium, Mumbai. Bengal on the other hand defeated a spirited Himachal Pradesh  outfit by 21 runs to enter into the final.

Brief Scores (Final)

Final: Bengal – 85 all out in 20 overs (Dhara Gujjar 26 (38b: 3x4s), Hrishita Basu 18 (24b: 2x4s), Titas Sadhu 17 (11b: 1x4s, 1x6); Jagravi Pawar 3/13, Soumya Singh 2/11, Sayali Satghare 1/7, Fatima Jaffer 1/26) lost to Mumbai – 86 for no loss in 12.3 overs (Vrushali Bhagat 45* (39b: 6x4s), Humairaa Kaazi 41* (5x4s, 1x6s)) by 10 wickets and 7.3 overs to spare. Player of the Match: Jagravi Pawar (Mumbai);  Player of the Series: Humairaa Kaazi (Mumbai)

Photo Cover : MCA President  Ajinkya Naik presents the Senior Women’s T20 Trophy to our victorious captain and Player of the Series Humairaa Kaazi 

Photo Above : MCA President  Ajinkya Naik, Vice President  Sanjay Naik, Secretary  Abhay Hadap, Joint Secretary  Deepak Patil, Treasurer  Arman Mallick, and other Apex Council members join the Mumbai Senior Women’s team in to celebrate this remarkable victory