Central Zone win maiden women’s T20 title
LUCKNOW: Encouraged by the presence of a moderate number of fans amid a change of approach towards women’s cricket in India, the hosts Central Zone crushed West Zone by nine wickets to win their maiden Senior Women’s InterZonal T20, at the Atal Bihari Vajpayee Ekana Cricket Stadium in Lucknow on Wednesday.
Central Zone were on target from the first ball and remained focused as everyone tried their best in the final held just weeks after women cricketers got pay parity with men.
“It’s a big change for women’s cricket where everyone has the opportunity to feel equal. I can feel this change now. Most of the girls in the domestic circuit now have extra energy in their performances as well as approach,” said Rita Dey, former India cricketer and the women’s cricket head of the Uttar Pradesh Cricket Association.
Women cricketers also have the opportunity to showcase their ability in the cash-rich women’s Indian Premier League (IPL) next year.
As for the final, left-arm pacer Anjali Sarvani didn’t allow West Zone batters to free their arms after they chose to bat first after winning the toss. Sarvani, who hails from Kurnool in Andhra Pradesh and plays for the Railways, kept hitting the deck hard with pace. Even after being stroked for two powerful boundaries by Yastika Bhatia, she had the batter caught behind in the third over.
Sarvani, who finished the event with 10 wickets, soon removed Simran Shaikha in a similar fashion.
Thereafter, India discard Poonam Yadav ripped through the West Zone batting line-up with 3/14 before another slow bowler Rashi Kanojiya (2/3) struck as the visitors could make 67 in 18 overs. Central Zone were also superb in ground fielding as they took all six catches with ease.
S Shinde, who struck the highest 17 in 20 balls, hit two consecutive boundaries in Yadav’s first over, but the experienced spinner replied strongly, trapping Shinde in front of the wicket with a googly.
The run chase remained a mere formality for Central Zone. By the time opener Jasia Akhter, who made run-a-ball 25 with the help of four boundaries, was bowled by S Pokharkar, the hosts were close to the target.
Jasia’s opening partner and keeper-batter Nuzhat Parween hit an unbeaten 32 in 44 balls with the help of just one boundary.
BRIEF SCORES
West Zone 67 in 18 overs (S Shinde 17, D Vaidya 11, P Yadav 3/11, R Kanojiya 2/3, A Sarvani 2/17) lost to Central Zone 70/1 in 13.4 overs (N Parween 32*, J Akhter 25, S Pokharkar 1/11).