Victory, Sportsfield advance into semis

Mumbai, April 6: Victory Cricket Club charged past Payyade Sports Club by registering a convincing 7-wicket victory in a quarter-final match of the 1^st MCA Women’s Cricket League played at the Sachin Tendulkar Gymkhana ground-I, Kandivali on Wednesday evening.

After Payyade SC chose to bat first, Victory CC bowlers Saima Thakor 3 wickets for 14 runs and Nidhi Buley 2 wickets for 16 runs were solely responsible for dismissing the opposition batswomen for a paltry 86 runs in 20 overs. Saloni Kushte was the lone Payyade batter who managed to score 32 runs to prop the innings.

In response, Victory CC comfortably chased down the winning target reaching 87 runs for the loss of just 3 wickets in 14 overs. Mitali Mhatre who top-scored with 39 runs steered the team to a satisfying win and a place in the semi-final.

In another quarter-final encounter, Sportsfield Cricket Club defeated Bharat Cricket Club by 37-runs at the STG ground-II.

Sportsfield CC deciding to bat after winning the toss amassed a challenging total of 158 for 3 wickets from their 20 overs. Former Indian cricketer Punam Raut was the leading run-scorer with an unbeaten 76 runs while Manjiri Gawade 44 runs and Shaheen Razak 22 runs further boosted the Sportsfield innings.

Later, Bharat CC were restricted to 121 runs for 7 wickets from their quota of 20 overs. Tanisha Gaikwad kept Bharat CC in the fight with a half-century knock of 51 runs, while Samiksha Bangal contributed an unbeaten 23 runs and veteran former Indian wicket-keeper Sulakshana Naik chipped in with a quick 17 runs. Sportsfield bowlers Reshma Nayak 2 wickets for 17 runs and Lakisha Labdhe 2 wickets for 8 runs ensured their team sealed the win and to also advance to the semi-finals.

Brief scores (quarter-finals): Sportsfield CC 158 for 3, 20 overs (Punam Raut 76*, Manjiri Gawade 44, Shaheen Razak 22) beat Bharat CC 121 for 7, 20 overs (Tanisha Gaikwad 51, Samiksha Bangal 23*, Sulakshana Naik 17; Reshma Nayak 2/17, Lakisha Labdhe 2/8). Result: Sportsfield CC won by 37 runs.

Payyade SC 86 all out, 20 overs (Saloni Kushte 32; Saima Thakor 3/14, Nidhi Buley 2/16) lost to Victory CC 87 for 3, 14.0 overs (Mitali Mhatre 39). Result: Victory Cricket Club (Womens League) won by 7 wickets.