The inter-state women's cricket tournament kick started today at Rajkot, where Twenty-six teams across the country are playing for two national titles, one in the Elite division and the other in the Plate division.
Mumbai took on Punjab at the Railways Cricket Ground, Rajkot. Leading from the front was Mumbai skipper Sunetra Paranjape, whose return to the Mumbai squad has been a great plus for the team. Early in the morning, Mumbai won the toss and chose to field. This decision didn't seem to go right for Mumbai as the Punjab openers Rewa Arora and Jasia Akhter stitched a 59-run opening partnership. Paranjape rotated the bowlers, who were well supported by the fielders. Mumbai struck for the first time only in the 21st over when off-spinner Humaira Kazi disturbed the timber of Rewa Arora. Jasia and Parveen then steadied the ship of Punjab innings giving Mumbai no chance to have another breakthrough till the 35th over. Mumbai bowlers maintained a disciplined line and length, with the 13 year old child prodigy Fatima Jaffer picking up 2 wickets and Humaira Kazi having 3 Punjab scalps. Punjab went on to score 165 runs from their full quota of 50 overs losing 9 wickets. Jasia Akhter was the pick of the batswomen scoring 80 runs off 120 balls.
On their way of chasing the target of 166 runs, Mumbai lost the wicket-keeper opener Sulakshana Naik for just 4 runs, putting some pressure on the Mumbai middle order. The absence of big names in Mumbai's batting line up may be the reason for their collapse in the middle overs. Mumbai batters like Mugdha Joshi, Sunetra Paranjape, Humaira Kazi, Manali Dakshini, all got to a decent start, but failed to capitalise. Opening batswoman Jemimah Rodrigues was the top scorer for Mumbai with a patient and cautious knock of 37 runs off 91 deliveries. Not getting the required support from the other end, Jemimah's innings ended in the 32nd over when Mumbai had another 79 runs to get. The Punjab women bowled well, but it was their fielding that won them the game. There were 4 run outs in Mumbai innings which shows the exemplary fielding performance of the young Punjab team. Mehek Kesar, Sunita Rani and Bharti Bawa were among wickets accounting for 3, 2 and 1 victims respectively. Mumbai's innings closed in the 48th over, when the final batter Fatima Jaffer bit the dust, handing Punjab a 35-run victory.
Punjab team secured 4 points leaving Mumbai behind with 0 points.
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