India defeated Nepal by 8 runs in the first women’s T20 match.

Mumbai (Uttam Hindu News): Binita Pun’s courageous innings of 92 runs went in vain as India defeated Nepal by 8 runs in the first-ever Blind Women bilateral T20 series at the Police Gymkhana Cricket Ground here. Batting first, India scored 194/4 in the allotted 20 overs and then restricted Nepal to 186/4 as the visitors failed to chase the target. With Monday’s win, India take a 1-0 lead in the Blind Women’s bilateral series. Chasing 195, Nepal completely attacked the Indian bowlers as Binita Pun hit a sensational half-century and the visitors scored 100 runs in 11 overs.

Nepal definitely lost the wicket of Mankeshi Chaudhary in the 12th over, however, Binita continued her brilliant performance and took the score to 170 runs in the 18th over. When only 25 runs were needed, India made a comeback and despite having 8 wickets in hand, did not allow Nepal to score runs. Nepal lost two more wickets and were reduced to 186/4. Fulla Saren was named player of the match for his all-round performance. He received a cash prize of Rs 5000/- along with a trophy and certificate. India and Nepal will now face each other in the second T20 match at the same venue on Tuesday.

Earlier in the day, India won the toss and decided to bat first. The Women in Blue made a strong start with Sushma Patel and Simu Das scoring 35 runs in the first three overs. Simu was run out by Nepal’s Binita Pun in the fourth over, although the wicket did not hamper India’s momentum. Sunita Sarathe and Sushma made a partnership of 68 runs for the second wicket, taking India beyond 100 runs in the 11th over.

India suffered another run-out blow in the 13th over when Sushma was out after scoring 41 runs in 36 balls. Saren and Ravanni then put on a good half-century partnership for the fourth wicket as India, after some strong blows in the death overs, scored 194/4 in the allotted 20 overs.