Trailblazers defeated Supernovas by only 16 runs to lift the Women’s T20 Challenge — their maiden trophy win — in Sharjah yesterday, thanks to Bangladesh women’s team all-rounder Salma Khatun’s brilliance with the ball.
Defending only 118, Salma bagged three wickets for 18 runs in her four overs and also contributed in a run-out.
Batting first, Trailblazers posted 118 for 8 with a fifty from captain Smriti Mandhana.
Salma came to bowl at the death end of the innings and picked up the wicket of Shashikala Siriwardene in the 15th over before bagging the wickets Harmanpreet Kaur and Pooja Vastrakar in the crucial 19th over.
Supernovas captain Kaur, who struck a 36-ball 30 was the top-scorer for her side but Salma squashed any hope of a Supernovas win in that pivotal 19th over by castling the Supernovas captain as they were eventually restricted to 102 for seven.
Earlier, Mandhana’s fiery 49-ball 68 ensured a brilliant start to the final for Trailblazers but the rest of the batters did little as they only managed 118 for eight.
The three-team women’s tournament was held in the United Arab Emirates alongside the men’s Indian Premier League, which will host its final between Mumbai Indians and Delhi Capitals on Tuesday.
“It was amazing to get to the nets with the overseas players and our youngsters,” Mandhana said.
“It was good to get some knowledge and exchange notes. For the youngsters, getting to hear from a Dottin is a headstart before you even make it to the national team.”