India defeated Nepal by 8 wickets in the final T20
Mumbai: In a spectacular display of dominance, Team India clinched the series 4-1 with a win over Nepal in the first Fedefina Women’s Bilateral Cricket Series 2023 for the Blind at the Police Gymkhana Cricket Ground here on Friday. Simu Das’s 52 runs and a combined batting effort by the Indian women’s team helped the hosts register a comfortable win over Nepal in the fifth T20I on Friday.
Following Binita Pun’s batting dominance, Nepal scored 153/6 in the allotted 20 overs, however, India chased the target with ease, defeating the visitors by 8 wickets. Simu Das was adjudged the player of the match.
India had already won the series (3-1) on Thursday when Nepal faced defeat in the fourth T20. Starting the series, India registered two consecutive wins but Nepal made a comeback in the third T20. After this, India won two consecutive games and registered a spectacular 4-1 victory in the series. After facing a 1-3 defeat in the series in Nepal earlier this year, the Women in Blue were determined to turn the tables this time.
And for the series, the women’s team had to undergo a 22-day intensive cricket coaching camp which started on November 20, 2023 in CBD Belapur, Maharashtra.
Talking about the match, Nepal, batting first, scored 153/6 runs thanks to a half-century by Binita Pun. After losing early wickets in the first seven overs, captain Geeta Paudal also took Nepal to a respectable score by scoring 40 runs in 39 balls.
It was a meaningless rubber game after having already won the series but the Indian team gave everything to win the last match. While Simu Das led the way with a half-century, Ravanni, Basanti Hansda and Ganga Kadam contributed 28, 23 and 22 runs respectively. Mahantesh G Kiwadsannavar – President, CABI, Anila Rajneesh – Chief Human Resource Officer – Fedfina, Vikas M Srivastava – Chief Business Officer – Fedfina, Abhay Hadapp, Apex Council Member and Tournament Coordinator affiliated with Mumbai Cricket Association, Pawan Gimire – President, Cricket For the Blind in Nepal, E John David-Director, Global Development – WBC, and Pankaj Chaudhary-President, Cricket Association for the Blind in Maharashtra, were present to encourage and congratulate the teams for their excellent performance.
Speaking on the occasion, CABI President, Mahantesh G Kiwadsannavar said, “It was a great support received from Fedfina to organize the first ever women’s bilateral T20 cricket series for Blind 2023. CABI organizes bilateral T20 cricket series with Nepal every year. Would like to organize. Time has come to promote cricket for the blind.
Responding to Mahantesh Ji Kivadasanwar, Pawan Gimire, President of Cricket for the Blind in Nepal, confirmed that Nepal will organize the bilateral event in Nepal in the month of April every year. Fedefina Chief Business Officer Vikas M Srivastava congratulated both the teams and said that Fedefina will continue to support the promotion of cricket for the blind.
Player of the Series award was given to Simu Das in B1 category, Mankeshi Chaudhary in B2 category and Binita Pun in B3 category. The runner-up trophy was awarded to Nepal Cricket Team for the Blind. Indian women’s cricket team captain Varsha Yu lifted the trophy.
