Himachal girls beat Punjab to lift Rama Atray trophy

Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, October 13

HPCA defeated Punajb Cricket Association (PCA ) by eight wickets to claim the 4th Rama Atray Memorial One Day Cricket Tournament Trophy at the Sector 16 Cricket Stadium today.

After winning the toss, HPCA skipper put the PCA eves to bat. The side posted 153 runs before getting all-out in 44.5 overs. Priyank Malik was the first to go after being caught by Kashish off Ansari for 10. Thereafter Ridhima Aggarwal was run out by Ansari for 8.

Kanika soon followed the suit as her wicket was claimed by Preeti for 7. Punjab was reduced to 38/3 in 14 overs. Thereafter, Neetu Singh and skipper Parveen Khan added 64 runs for the fourth wicket before Neetu was bowled by Sushmita Negi for 36. Parveen and Neelam Bisht added 39 runs for the fifth wicket before Neelam was caught by Yamuna off Preeti for 23.

Preeti, meanwhile, was reintroduced to the attack and she removed skipper Parveen (56 off 93 balls with 9 boundaries), Harpreet Dhillon (2) and Sunita Rani (0) to halt the Punjab innings. She claimed 6/ 27 to hog the limelight.

In reply, Himachal opened with Kashish Verma and Chitra Singh and the duo put on 89 runs in 29.2 overs for the first wicket. Chitra fell prey to Sunita for 48 off 95 balls inclusive of eight boundaries. Thereafter, Shivani Singh, in company of Kashish, added 63 runs for the second wicket. Shivani was castled by Sunita for 47 off 26 balls inclusive of 11 boundaries. Sunita (2/30) was the most successful bowler for Punjab.

Himachal scored 154/2 in 38.1 overs to record an eight-wicket win over Punjab. The side bagged the coveted trophy along with a cash prize of Rs 40,000 and Punjab got the runners-up trophy and a cash prize of Rs 20,000.

Kashish Verma of HPCA was declared as the best batter of the tournament while Preeti of HPCA, who claimed a 10-wicket haul in the tournament, was declared the best bowler. Kanika of PCA was declared the best all-rounder of the tournament.