All-rounder Mansi powers Fort Youngsters into final
by Suman Gupta
Mumbai, April: Mansi Patil brilliant efforts with both bat and ball inspired Fort Youngsters CC to an easy 48-run victory against Rajawadi CC in a semi-final match of the 1st MCA Women’s Cricket League played at the MCA ground, BKC on Friday morning.
The number batter Mansai batted confidently to score an unbeaten 37-ball 64 runs which was studded with 11 hits to the boundary ropes, Besides Mansi’s innings, her teammates, openers Riya Chaudhari 48 runs (23-balls, 8×4) and Janhavi Kate 38 (30-balls, 7×4) made solid contributions which ensured Fort Youngsters reach a healthy total fo 171 for 4 wickets from the 20 overs. Tanvi Parab (2 for 20) was Rajawadi’s best bowler.
Later, opener and consisitent run scorer Vrushali Bhagat single-handedly tried to keep Rajawadi CC in the fight. However, all the other batters failed to stay long in the middle and provide any support as their innings closed at 123 for 9 wickets from the stipulated 20 overs. Vrushali was the top-scorer with 74 runs from 46-balls and with 11 bondaries. The next best batter was Kshama Patekar whioc made 14 runs. Fort Youngsters’ off-spinners Jagravi Pawar 2 for 16 and Himaja Patil 2 for 23, left-arm spinner Batul Pereira 2 for 17 and leg-spinner Mansi Patil 2 for 25 picked up the wickets to clinch the win.
Later, in the second semi-final
Later, in the second semi-final, all-rounder Sarika Koli’s superb performances helped Victory CC storm to a commanding 8-wicket victory against Springfield CC to set up a clash with Fort Youngsters in the final.
Batting first Sportsfield were restricted to 134 for 8 wickets from 20 overs. Opener Shameen Abdullah 58 runs (52-balls, 6×4,1×6) and former Indian cricketer and number 3 bat Punam Raut 56 runs (47-balls, 7×4,1×6) lifted the Sportsfield total. Victory CC left-arm spinner Nidhi Buley 4 wickets for 16 runs and off-spinner Sarika Koli 2 wickets for 32 runs were mainly responsible to contain the rival batters.
In response, Victory CC easily chased the target making 138 runs for the loss of just 2 wickets in 15 overs. Sarika Koli was the leading run-getter with 55 runs (34-balls, 9×4), while Mahek Pokar contributed an unbeaten 50 runs (37-balls, 7×4) and Saima Thakor chipped in with 20 runs to help her team cruisie to victory.
Brief scores (Semi-finals): Fort Youngsters CC 171 for 4 wickets, 20 overs (Mansi Patil 64* (37-balls, 10×4), Riya Chaudhari 48 (23-balls, 8×4), Janhavi Kate 38 (30-balls, 7×4); Tanvi Parab 2/20) beat Rajawadi CC 123 for 9, 20 overs (Vrushali Bhagat 74 (46-balls, 11×4), Kshama Patekar14; Jagravi Pawar 2/16, Batul Pereira 2/17, Himaja Patil 2/23, Mansi Patil 2/25). Result: Fort Youngsters CC won by 48 runs.
Sportsfield CC 134 for 8 wickets, 20 overs (Shameen Abdullah 58 (52-balls, 6×4,1×6), Punam Raut 56 (47-balls, 7×4,1×6); Nidhi Buley 4/16, Sarika Koli 2/32) lost to Victory CC 138 for 2 wickets, 15 overs (Sarika Koli 55 (34-balls, 9×4), Mahek Pokar 50* (37-balls, 7×4), Saima Thakor 20). Result: Victory CC won by 8 wickets.
