City girls enter knockouts

Tribune News Service
Chandigarh, February 11

Chandigarh girls continued their victory march in the Women’s U-23 One Day Trophy as they beat Sikkim by nine wickets at the KIIT Cricket Stadium in Bhubaneswar today.

Chandigarh lead the Plate Group with 28 points from seven matches, while J&K are second with 24 points from eight matches. Nagaland are further two points behind in third place. Chandigarh thus have qualified for the knockouts with a match to spare.

Opting to bat, Sikkim failed to capitalise on their chances and were restricted to 121/6 in 50 overs.

After Nandika (0) and Lyangrip (1) fell cheaply, Rinki Rajak and skipper Sarojini batted sensibly and put the side back on track with a 73-run partnership for the third wicket. The duo was separated when Rinki was stumped by Shivangi of Rajni Devi on 49.

With a set Rinki back in the hut, Sikkim could only manage to score 29 runs in the last 13 overs. Songkit Lhamoo Lepcha fell to Rajni on 8, while Kashvee brought an end to a defiant 41-run knock by Sarojini.

Aruna Barman was the last wicket to fell in the Sikkim innings. She was stumped by Shivangi off Parul Saini on 6.

Diki Bhutia faced 13 balls, while Pranita played 10 balls without any contribution to the Sikkim total.

Kashvee (2/17) and Rajni (2/23) claimed two wickets each for Chandigarh, while Nandani (1/9) and Parul (1/13) took a wicket apiece.

Chandigarh, in reply, reached home in 31 overs, with skipper Amanjot Kaur hitting an unbeaten 46-ball 47. Parul remained not out on 40.

Opener Monika Pandey was the only wicket to fall in the Chandigarh innings. She was caught by Pranita off Rinki on 26.