Women’s cricket tournament starts

SAMIR NUGO

GANGTOK:With four teams named after the mountain peaks of Sikkim, Sikkim’s first women’s cricket tournament started today at Mining Ground, near Rangpo. The T20 tournament, dubbed Khangchendzonga Shield, is organised by Sikkim Cricket Association to provide a platform to women cricketers and to encourage more participation of women in cricket, which is growing exponentially in the football-loving Sikkim.

In the opening match of the qualifying round, Team Pandimdefeated Team Sinolchu by eight wickets. After restricting Sinolchu for 70 runs in 20 overs, Pandim chased down the total losing just two wickets.

Captain TsheringOmgmu and SongkitLhamoo Lepcha provided a good start to Sinolchu but after Mariam Subba got rid of Onmgu in the sixth over, wickets started falling like a pack of cards as Sinolchu, electing to take first strike in the brand new Mining pitch, slumped from 23-0 to 70-9 by the end of the first innings. Mariam Subba ended with a figure of 3-15 from four overs.  Yudenmit Lepcha picked two wickets, while Samayita Roy Pradhan grabbed one. Samayita would later score a quick-fire 39 runs to take Pandim past the total in just 12.2 overs. She was named player of the match for her all-round performance.

The second match played between Team Simvo and Team Kabru produced another low total. Batting first, Simvo managed 73 for the loss of seven wickets in their quota of 20 overs. PretikaChettri (19 runs) and Lyangrip Lepcha (18) produced a decent partnership for third wicket but wickets started tumbling after Lyangrip’s departure and Simvo managed just 14 runs in the last six overs.

Despite losing opener Susan Dhungel for not in second over, Kabru went past the total with easewith Nandita Das scoring 15, Purni Maya Gurungscoring 23and Romila Gurung scoring a quick 15 runs. Kabru won the match by eight wickets with 7.4 overs to spare. Purni Maya was announced player of the match for 23 not-out and two wickets.

The qualifying round will end on November 13 with the top two teams progressing to the final to be played on November 21.