Final match abandoned due to rain in the Women’s T20 Bilateral Series for Blind

Khel Today Bureau 

Kathmandu: The final match of the of the Women’s T20 Bilateral Series for the Blind was abandoned due to rain after the first innings which was reduced to 10 overs being played here at the Mulpani Cricket Ground bringing an end to the historic series for the Indian Women’s Cricket Team for the Blind. Nepal won the series by 3-1. This has been a wonderful learning experience for the team as they will now turn their focus for the World Blind Games to be held in Birmingham in the month of August 2023. Cricket for the Blind is included as one of the sports for the first time in World Blind Games. A total of 70 countries and 1200 + athletes will be part of this event.

Speaking on the first tour of Women’s team, Dr Mahantesh G. Kivadasannavar, President, Cricket Association for the Blind in India said, “It was the first international exposure for the team and most of the girls have started to play in the recent years. I am very proud of them and playing with an experienced team like Nepal will help the girls to learn and improve more in the coming days”.

Indian Captain H. Ganga won the toss and elected to field in the final match of the historic series. In form batters Binita Pun and Mankeshi Chaudhary started the innings by scoring quick runs and taking the score to 43 runs in four overs before Binita Pun was dismissed for 31 runs in just 17 balls with the help of five boundaries. The Indian bowlers then put the leash on the scoring as they scalped wickets in regular intervals. Eventually Nepal scored 92/5 in their allotted 10 overs. Susma Tamang remained unbeaten on 16 runs while Mankeshi Chaudhary scored 15. Ravani took one wicket for India.

“It was our first international series. The team really played well against the strongest team in the Women’s game. Nepal had earlier won all the matches against England and Pakistan. However, our girls coped well and it was a competitive series of cricket and this will only make our girls better”, said E. John David, General Secretary, Cricket Association for the Blind in India.

Brief Score

NEPAL – 92/5 IN 10 Overs (Binita Pun -31, Susma Tamang – 16, Mankeshi Chaudhary – 15; Ravani – 1/13)