POKHARA, Dec 9: Bangladesh won the gold in the 13th South Asian Games (SAG) women’s cricket competition whereas Nepali bowler Anjali Chand, who made world record in the match against Maldives, has been awarded the best bowler of the tournament. 

Bangladesh defeated Sri Lanka by two runs to secure the gold in the final match played at Pokhara Stadium’s cricket ground in Pokhara on Sunday.  Sri Lanka was then limited to silver medal. 

Batting first, Bangladesh made 91 runs in 20 overs losing 8 wickets after Sri Lanka won the toss and invited Bangladesh to bat. In an exciting match, Sri Lanka came close to the target of 92 runs but could only reach 89 runs losing 9 wickets in its full quota of 20 overs.

For Bangladesh, Nihida Akhtar took two wickets. Jahanra Alam, Salman Kharun and Khajida Khurwa took a wicket each. The player of the match, Akhtar, registered a maiden over conceding nine runs off his four in the match. 

Nepali bowler Chand, who took 11 wickets in the 4 games she played, has been awarded the best bowler of the tournament. Likewise, Sri Lanka’s Harisita Samarabikrami won the best batter award after scoring a total of 187 runs in the four games she featured in the 13th edition of South Asian Olympics.

Nissanka, Croospulle inspire Sri lanka
Pathum Nissanka and Kaisth Croospulle shared an unbeaten partnership of 134 runs to help Sri Lanka U-23 win the final group stage match against Bangladesh U-23 team during the 13th South Asian Games held at TU Cricket Ground in Kirtipur on Sunday. 

Bangladesh was handed first defeat of the Games whereas Sri Lanka remained unbeaten through-out the group stage with four wins against Nepal, Maldives and Bhutan as well. Both the teams are set to face each other once again on Monday for the gold medal by virtue of finishing top-two at the group points table. Similarly, Nepal will face Maldives in the first match of the day for bronze medal. Both teams finished third and fourth respectively in the points table for the third-place playoff match.

Player-of-the-match Croospulle remained unbeaten on attacking 73 runs off 41 deliveries which included seven boundaries and four sixes. He had replaced rested Kamindu Mendis, who had scored an unbeaten century against Maldives in an earlier group stage match. His partners \

Nissanka notched up his second half-century of the tournament staying not-out on 67 runs off 52 deliveries which included five fours and three sixes. The leading run-scorer of the tournament had scored his first half-century against Bhutan.

The Bangladeshi fast bowler Mehedi Hasan Rana picked up a solitary wicket of wicket-keeper batsman Nishan Madushka for 6 runs off eight deliveries. He was expensive in his three overs conceding 44 runs off it. Other bowlers like Sumon Khan, Tanvir Islam, Mahedi Hasan and Minhajul Afridi were wicket-less in their respective overs in the match. 

Earlier, Sri Lanka won the toss and invited Bangladesh to bat first. Wicket-keeper batsman Mahdul Islam Ankon top-scored for the side which rested several big players like Soumya Sarkar, regular captain Najmul Hossain Shanto and bowler Manik Khan.

Ankon patiently held an end with 44 runs off 38 deliveries which included four boundaries and two sixes. Whilst, veteran Yasir Ali impressed with his 45-ball 51 runs including five boundaries and a six. He arrived at the crease when Bangladesh innings was struggling on 21 runs for the loss of three wickets. Likewise, Zakir Hasan boosted the total by his 17-ball 20 runs which included three boundaries. Bangladesh ended up on 150 runs for the loss of six wickets in 20 overs.

Asitha Fernando picked up two wickets whereas Kavishka Anjula, Jehan Daniel and Sammu Ahsan chipped in with a wicket each.

 
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