Meena, Sunita help Punjab girls beat Goa

Tribune News Service 

Chandigarh, February 21

An unbeaten 43-run knock by BN Meena and a four-wicket haul by Sunita Rani helped Punjab women beat their Goa counterparts by 27 runs in a low scoring Senior Women’s T20 League match at the MBB Stadium in Agartala on Thursday.  

Electing to bat, Punjab got off to a decent start, with Ridhima Aggarwal and Jasia Akhter adding 35 runs for the opening wicket. The duo was separated when Ridhima fell to Sunanda on 18 runs.

Jasia did not last long and fell to Rupali Sukhdev on 17. Sonali then dismissed Amarpal Kaur for two runs to reduce Punjab to 39/3 in eight overs. 

Meena then in company of skipper Parveen Khan (7) stretched the total to 67 runs before a needless 

run out brought an end to the 28-run partnership between the two.

Neelam Bisht (3), wicketkeeper-batter Manisha Badhan (1) and Mehak Kesar (0) fell in quick succession as Punjab slumped to 76/7 in 18.1 overs. Meena, however, batted with purpose and scored 25 runs in the remaining 11 balls to take the total 101 runs. Diksha Dogra remained not out on one. 

Rupali Sukhdev was the most effective bowler for Goa, claiming 2/10 in her four overs. Sunanda (1/30), Sonali (1/12) and Vanita (1/20) took a wicket apiece.    

Defending a modest total, Punjab bowlers led by Sunita bundled out Goa for 74 runs after skipper Vinavi Gaurav and Shrey had given them a decent start. 

The two added 41 runs for the opening wicket before Mehak Kesar removed Vinavi on 19. 

Goa lost their remaining nine wickets for just 33 runs to hand a 27-run win to Punjab. Shrey was cleaned up by Sunita on 11, while Sunanda was trapped in front by the bowler on 12. 

Sunita was the pick of the bowlers for Punjab. She returned with figures of 4/4. Neelam picked 3/17, while Mehak took 2/16.