KATHMANDU, Oct 22: Kabita Kunwar and Bindu Rawal shared a winning partnership of 106 runs to propel Pokhara Paltan to a six-wicket win against winless Lalitpur Falcons in the final group stage Women’s Champions League (WCL) T20 cricket match at the Tribhuvan University(TU) Cricket Ground in Kirtipur on Monday.
Paltan lost three wickets for five runs on the board chasing the target of 123 runs.
However, middle-order batter Kunwar smashed unbeaten 61 runs supported by Rawal’s 40 batting at number three to help complete the chase and record solitary consolation win of the tournament. Both the teams were already knocked-out of the WCL after losing their respective first three matches.
Butwal Blasters wins again, Pokhara Paltan lost by 33 runs
Kunwar registered 10 boundaries during her 42-ball stay whereas Rawal smashed 4 boundaries during her 44-ball stay at the crease. Both shared the highest partnership for any wicket, a new record, in historic WCL.
Opening batswomen Rewati Dhami and skipper Sita Rana Magar were dismissed for a run each whereas Ruby Poddar didn’t disturb the scorers to leave Paltan chase in lurch. Player-of-the-match Kunwar saved the day for the franchise team.Mamta Chaudhary and Falcons skipper Nery Thapa shared two wickets each.
Earlier, Falcons won the toss and elected to bat first. The batswomen rotated around Mamta Chaudhary who stayed unbeaten on 52 runs off 51 deliveries which included seven boundaries. She shared an important partnership of 51 runs with wicket-keeper Kabita Joshi to help Falcons put up a total of 122 runs in 20 overs for the loss of seven wickets. Joshi smashed six boundaries during her 23-ball stay.
Nabina Khadka, Anjali Chand and Rajmati Airee shared a wicket each for Paltan to keep the Falcon scores at check. Skipper Sita Rana Magar was the best bowler on the day registering two wickets off her four overs and conceding 24 runs.
Chitwan Rhinos qualified for the final match, to be held on Thursday, after winning all its group matches. Whilst, the second placed Kat Queens Kathmandu and third placed Biratnagar Titans will face-off in the Eliminator match on Tuesday. The winner of the Eliminator will qualify for the final.
