Zeefa Jilani smashed a superb 40 to power Kuwait to a splendid eight-wicket triumph over Oman on the second day of the QCA Women’s T20I Tournament at the Asian Town Stadium in Industrial Area.
The crucial victory, which brightened chances for Kuwait to get a spot in the final, was secured off the penultimate ball of the match. Amna Shareef Tariq and Sioban Lee collected 39 runs for the unbroken fourth wicket. Tariq cracked three fours in her 22 not out, while Lee’s unbeaten 16 had two fours.
Openers Jilani and Priyanka Murli earlier set foundation for the 114-run chase with a 73-run stand – the biggest of the tournament so far. Both were quick to punish loose balls and it was Jilani who got out first when she was bowled by Bhakti Shetty.
Shetty also removed other opener Murli five runs later. Jilani smashed five boundaries in her 51-ball knock and Murli hit two fours in 22 off 29 balls. Kuwait restricted Oman at 113 for six. Sakshi Shetty and Vaishali Jasrani scored 26 each. Fiza and Priyanka Edna added 13 and 12, respectively. Maria Jasvi, Madeena Zuberi and Mariamma Hyder shared three wickets while three players got run out.
In another match, Oman outplayed hosts Qatar by 61 runs to book a spot in the final, which will be held tomorrow.
Opener Sakshi Vijaya was the star performer for the winners after she struck three boundaries in 44 off 54 balls. She stayed at the wicket till the end and got out to Shahreennawab off the final ball of the match.
Fiza contributed 18 and Javed Hira came up with the second best individual score of the match as she ran hard to post run-a-ball 38 with two fours. Nahan Arif and Shahreennawab secured two wickets each.
Qatar’s collapse started in the second over and the home players could not stop the skid, getting all out three balls before the finish. Captain Aysha hit 18 with two fours and Trupti Kale made 12. Priyanka Edna caused the most damage, scalping three players for 14. Bhakti Shetty collected two.
BRIEF SCORES:
Kuwait beat Oman by eight wickets
Oman: 113 for six (Sakshi Vijaya 26 in 39 balls, Vaishali Jasrani 26 in 39 balls, Fiza 13 in nine balls, Priyanka Edna 12 in 39 balls; Maria Jasvi 1/18, Madeena Zuberi 1/30, Mariamma Hyder 1/20)
Kuwait: 117 for two in 19.5 overs (Priyada Murali 22 in 29 balls, Zeefa Jilani 40 in 51 balls, Amna Shareef Tariq 22 not out in 28 balls, Siobhan Lee 16 not out in 11 balls; Bhakti Shetty 2/23)
Oman beat Qatar by 61 runs
Oman: 130 for six (Sakshi Vijaya 44 runs in 54 balls, Fiza 18 in 13 balls, Javed Hira 38 in 38 balls; Nahan Arif 2/25, Shahreennawab 2/5, Angeline Mare 1/33, Saachi Dhadwal 1/21)
Qatar: 69 all out in 19.3 overs (Aysha 18 in 17 balls, Trupti Kale 12 in 16 balls; Yashika Verma 1/8,
QCA Operations Manager Manzoor Ahmad (left) presents the Player of the Match award to Sakshi Vijaya .
