Pokhara Nepal: An unbeaten century by Binita Pun helped Nepal to overcome India by 8 wickets in the first match of the Women’s Bilateral Series for the Blind which was played here at the Pokhara Stadium. There was a history in the making as Gangavva was the first to score a half century and pick a wicket for India. This is the first international series to the Indian Team with the strong and experienced team Nepal.
Nepal captain Bhagwati Bhattarai won the toss and sent India to bat first. Captain Sushma Patel and Vice-captain Gangavva opened the innings for India. Both batters put together 37 runs for the first wicket in four overs before the captain was dismissed. Ganga then stitched small partnerships with U. Varsha (10), Simu Das (26) and TC Deepika (16) to take India to a respectable total. India then lost Sandra Davis, Priya and Phula Saren in quick succession halting India’s push to score quick runs. Ganga remained unbeaten on well-constructed 72 runs from 71 balls with the help of four boundaries. India eventually ended their innings on 173/7 in their 20 overs. Nisha Choudhary took the only wicket that went to the bowlers as six Indian batters fell to run outs.
In reply, Nepal openers Mankeshi Chaudhary and Binita Pun started scoring freely keeping the Indian bowlers on bay. They put together a partnership of 119 runs for the first wicket in 10.5 overs before Mankeshi was dismissed by Ganga. She scored 32 runs off 29 balls. U. Varsha dismissed Susma Tamang in the 13th over for a duck but Binita scored runs freely from the other end. She reached her century in emphatic fashion and helped Nepal cross the target in the 18th over with the help of Sarita Ghimire who remained unbeaten on 21. Binita scored 111 of 57 balls with the help of 17 boundaries. Binita Pun was declared the player of the match for her superb batting performance.
Both teams will meet each other again tomorrow for the second match of the series at the same venue.
Brief Scores
INDIA – 173/7 in 20 overs (Ganga 72 no, Simu Das 26, TC Deepika 16; Nisha Choudhary – 1/29) lost to NEPAL – 174/2 in 18 overs (Binita Pun – 111, Mankeshi Chaudhary – 32, Susma Tamang – 21 no; Ganga – 1/16, U. Varsha – 1/41)
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