Meghalaya denied victory by just 4 runs
By Our Reporter
Shillong, Nov 3: Meghalaya witnessed an intense battle on the cricket field as they came agonizingly close to securing their first victory of the season in BCCI domestic cricket. However, their hopes were dashed by a mere 4-run margin, as they fell short against Sikkim in the Women’s U-19 T20 Trophy, played in Mumbai on Friday.
With a win eluding them in any format this year, Meghalaya’s U-19 women’s team entered the match with high hopes, especially after a spirited performance that restricted Sikkim to a gettable score of 77/5 in their allotted 20 overs.
The bowlers for Meghalaya gave their all, with Ankita Sharma emerging as the standout performer, claiming 2 wickets for just 9 runs in her 4-over spell.
Other bowlers who contributed to the team’s efforts were Jaylynn Marak (1/10 in 3 overs), Emisakani Warjri (1/11 in 2 overs), and Sistilin Ryntathiang (1/12 in 3 overs).Meghalaya’s chase, however, faced a stumbling start as the top half of their batting lineup fell for just a few runs, leaving them at a precarious 29/5. The tide seemed to turn when Monica Singh, initially a standby player but given an opportunity due to a teammate’s unavailability, played a crucial role. She scored a run-a-ball 18 in partnership with Dubleen Nengnong, who contributed 11 runs from 17 deliveries, taking Meghalaya to 61 without further loss and just 17 runs away from victory.
In a thrilling turn of events, Sikkim managed to initiate another mini-collapse, and Meghalaya found themselves at 68/9 with just seven balls left in the match.
The result hung in the balance, with Sikkim, Meghalaya, or a tie all possible outcomes.In a last-ditch effort, Meghalaya’s last pair managed to add 6 more runs, but their hopes were dashed when Jaylynn was stumped off the penultimate delivery.
This brought an end to their determined effort as Meghalaya was bowled out for 74 runs.
This marked Meghalaya’s second match in the tournament, following a 10-wicket loss to Chandigarh yesterday. They will now prepare for their upcoming fixture against Baroda scheduled for Sunday. The team will be eager to bounce back and secure that elusive victory in the Women’s U-19 T20 Trophy.While the loss was undoubtedly disheartening for Meghalaya, it was a match filled with nail-biting moments and showcased their fighting spirit. The team can take solace in their bowling performance, which put them in a strong position to win the game.Captain of the Meghalaya U-19 women’s team, Ankita Sharma, praised her teammates for their relentless effort and fighting spirit. She emphasized the importance of learning from this match and building on their strengths as they look ahead to their next encounter with Baroda.
The Meghalaya supporters, both at the ground and back home, were treated to a thrilling contest that kept them on the edge of their seats until the very last ball. The team’s determination to secure their first victory of the season remains unwavering, and they will be eager to bounce back and make their mark in the tournament.