In a thrilling final held at the Mission Round Ground in Mong Kok, Hong Kong, India A emerged victorious in the inaugural edition of the Women’s Emerging Asia Cup. Led by captain Shweta Sehrawat, the Indian team defeated Bangladesh A, captained by LataMondal, by 31 runs.
After winning the toss, Bangladesh A elected to field first, allowing India A to set the target. India A posted a respectable score of 127 runs for the loss of seven wickets in their allotted 20 overs. Sehrawat and Uma Chetry contributed 13 and 20 runs respectively before falling victim to the bowling of Nahida Akter and Rabeya Khan.
However, it was the innings of Dinesh Vrinda and Kanika Ahuja that injected momentum into the Indian batting line-up. Vrinda played an aggressive knock of 36 runs off 29 deliveries, smashing five boundaries and a six before being dismissed by Sultana Khatun.
Meanwhile, Ahuja remained unbeaten on 30 runs off 23 balls, hitting four boundaries. Nahida Akter stood out among the Bangladesh A bowlers, claiming two crucial wickets while conceding just 13 runs in her four overs. Khatun also made an impact by dismissing Vrinda and Gongadi Trisha. Sanjida Akter Meghla and Rabeya contributed with a wicket each.
In their pursuit of India A’s target, Bangladesh A faced early setbacks as Dilara Akter lost her wicket. Unfortunately for the Tigresses, the fall of wickets continued throughout their innings. With the score at 66 for six in 13 overs, rain interrupted the proceedings briefly.
When play resumed, India A maintained their dominance, preventing their opponents from gaining a foothold in the match. Bangladesh A was eventually bowled out for 96 runs in 19.2 overs. Shreyanka Patil, who failed to score with the bat, shone with the ball, finishing with outstanding figures of 4-0-13-4.
Her impressive performance also made her the top wicket-taker of the tournament, claiming a total of nine wickets. Mannat Kashyap also bowled with precision, taking three wickets for 20 runs, while Kanika Ahuja contributed with two scalps.
The victory for India A in the Women’s Emerging Asia Cup is a significant achievement and a testament to their skills and teamwork.
The tournament provided a platform for emerging talent in women’s cricket to showcase their abilities and further develop their game. As the first edition of the tournament, it marks a historic milestone in the growth of women’s cricket in the region.