Senior Women’s T20 Trophy: Nagaland qualifies for knock outs

Dimapur, April 24 (EMN): At the ongoingSenior Women’s T20 Trophy, Nagaland played their last league match against Sikkim winning by 79 runs and qualified for the knockout stage at Amingaon Cricket Ground, Guwahati on Sunday.

Nagaland won the toss and elected to bat first, managing to put up a total of 181 runs losing only two wickets in their allotted 20 overs, an update informed.

It was a good start for Nagaland as openers — KP Navgire and Alemienla — stitched up a partnership of 86 runs in just 72 balls, which is also the highest opening partnership for Nagaland so far in the tournament.

Navgire, who has been in terrific form, scored her third half century of the tournament before she was bowled by Purni for 57 runs. Shortly after, Alemienla was sent back to the pavilion by Pranita for 31 runs. Brilliant knocks from Khemnar (43 not out) and Gautami (35 not out) took Nagaland’s total to a huge margin of 181 runs.

Sikkim, chasing a huge target, had a horrific start as their opener Manizha was sent back to the pavilion by Navgire in the very first delivery as she was adjudged LBW. Only Rinki Rajak (captain) showed some resilience as she scored 41 runs before she was caught  by Navgire, while she tried to hit some big shots on Talirenla’s delivery.

Disciplined bowling attack by Nagaland saw Sikkim wickets trembling down at regular intervals and fell short of 79 runs at the end of the final overs losing eight wickets.

For Nagaland, Navgire scalped four wickets, while Talirenla, Elina Muru and Gautami registered a wicket each to their names.

Nagaland, having won all their six matches in the plate group, is the topper of the group. The knock outs will be played against the Top 2 of Elite-A Group at Surat, Gujarat on April 28.