Kolkata, Dec 16: Superb all-round show by Bismah Hassan and Rubia Syed, coupled with good contributions with the bat by all the top and middle-order batters powered Jammu and Kashmir to register a comprehensive 5-wicket win over formidable Andhra Pradesh, thus qualifying for the knockout stage of the prestigious Senior Women’s One-Day Trophy at 22 Yards Salt Lake, Kolkata on Monday.
Chasing a fighting total of 225 runs, J&K rode on their batting depth and chased the target easily in 48.5 overs, losing 5 wickets in the process, thus winning the match by 5 wickets.
Despite good contributions from all the top order batters, J&K at one stage were facing a daunting task in the last 12.4 overs as the team needed to score 78 runs in 76 balls with 5 wickets in hand when Shivanti Gupta (20) was sent back as wicket no-5. However, Rubia Syed and Bismah Hassan held their nerves when it mattered the most, making an unbeaten partnership of 78 runs to take their side home.
Continuing the batting brilliance, Rubia top scored with 51 runs off 43 balls studded with 2 fours and 4 massive sixes, while Bismah remained unconquered on 28 runs off 34 balls without hitting a single boundary.
Chitra Singh Jamwal (31), Skipper Jasia Akhtar (31) Bawandeep Kaur (24) and Rudrakshi Chib (20) were the other notable contributors with the willow. All the batters showed good temperament, resilience, perseverance and elegance.
For Andhra Pradesh, E Padmaja took 2 wickets while Saranya Gadwal and V Pushpa Latha claimed one wicket each.
Earlier, winning the toss and batting first, Andhra after early hiccups rode on Henrietta Pereira’s splendid century scored a good total of 225 runs in the stipulated 50 overs, losing 9 wickets in the process.
Henrietta scored 116 runs off 147 balls with 15 boundaries, while V Pushpa Latha and Ayeesha Singh contributed 26 runs each and Saranya Gadwal contributed 20 runs to the total. Rubia was the most economical bowler, who gave away just 21 runs in her 10 overs.
Speedster Bismah Hassan was the pick of the bowlers, who captured 5 wickets by conceding 45 runs in her 9 overs, while Chitra Singh Jamwal bagged 3 wickets and Sandhya Sayal claimed one.
Rubia Syed was adjudged as the player of the match, while Bismah Hassan was presented match ball for her 5-wicket haul.
“SrWomenODTournamt. Well done J&K for qualifying for the knockout stage. J&K defeated favourite Andhra in a thrilling qualifier by 5 wickets. I fail to single out individual performances today since every player contributed towards the victory. Compliments to the Coach and others,” Brig Anil Gupta Member-Administration JKCA.
