Archana, Anjali fashion UP’s win

LUCKNOW: Archana Devi and Anjali Singh bowled deadly spells to help favourites Uttar Pradesh beat Kerala by 19 runs in a thrilling encounter of the Under-19 Women’s One-Day League at the Bokakhat District Sports Association Ground (Bokakhat) on Tuesday.

Archana conceded just eight runs to take three wickets in her three overs, whereas Anjali too bagged 3/23 to restrict Kerala for 71/8 in 20 overs while chasing 91. Sonam Yadav and Juhi Pandey took a wicket each.

Uttar Pradesh had a fine start after being asked to bat first as openers Muskan Malik and Ayushi Srivastava stitched together 45 runs for the first wicket. Muskan was caught by Sandra Suren off Darsana Mohanan after scoring 44-ball 30, whereas Ayushi scored 20 in 31 balls with the help of two fours before being bowled by Darsana.

Departure of these two in quick succession saw Uttar Pradesh batting slowing down as none among the other two batswoman could touch the double figure mark and UP could score 90/8. For Kerala, captain Drishya IV remained the most successful bowler, bagging 2/8, whereas Darsana Mohanan and Ajanya TP shared four wickets between them,

ARCHANA CONCEDED JUST EIGHT RUNS TO TAKE THREE WICKETS IN HER THREE OVERS, WHEREAS ANJALI TOO BAGGED 3/23 TO RESTRICT KERALA FOR 71/8 IN 20 OVERS WHILE CHASING 91. SONAM YADAV AND JUHI PANDEY TOOK A WICKET EACH

Needing 91 at the strike rate of 4.55 runs per over always looked a daunting task for Kerala as after losing opener Ansu Sunil(5) in the ninth over with scoreboard reading just 29, they lost more wickets in quick succession to struggle at 3/32.

Though all-rounder Drishya tried to accelerate scoring for Kerala, hitting 31 in 43 balls with the help of four boundaries, it made no difference as she didn’t get the required support from the other end and Kerala’s innings finally restricted at 71/8.

It was Uttar Pradesh’s third win in as many as four matches and now they stand third in the points table with 12 points. Delhi with 18 points and Haryana with 16 points are at the first and second position.

Now, UP play against Himachal on Saturday.