The opening game in Women’s cricket at 2019 South Asian Games at Pokhara, Nepal has seen the home team’s Anjali Chand create a new Women’s T20I bowling figures record, after capturing 6/0 against the debutants, Maldives Women.
None of the players in the Maldives XI could reach double figures, as they got skittled out for only 16 runs in 10.1 overs. Karuna Bhandari also picked up 2 wickets off her 2 overs. Maldives total was the 6th lowest team total registered in all Women’s T20Is played till date.
Nepal Women only needed 5 deliveries to overhaul the target, as Kajal Shrestha struck three boundaries to remain 13 not out, with Sita Magar watching the action from the non-strikers end.
Anjali’s record Breaking haul overtakes the record held by Malaysia’s Mas Elysa (6/3) and also included a hat-trick, as she picked up the wickets of Eashal Ibrahim, Kinaanath Ismail and Shamma Ali off consecutive deliveries for her spell, with 2 wickets coming off the final two deliveries of her 2nd over and the 3rd on the first delivery of her 3rd over.
For Maldives Women, it was their debut in Women’s T20Is, and will also play against Bangladesh Women and Sri Lanka Women during the group stages. As per the tournament format, if they fail to qualify for the final, then, will play the bronze medal play-off game.
