Mohammedan lift Women’s Club Cup

Mohammedan added yet another feather in their cap when the popular club clinched the first-ever Women’s Club Cup cricket title at the Sher-e-Bangla National Stadium in Mirpur yesterday.
The Motijheel outfit kept their cool in the battle of nerves to record a five-wicket win over pre-tournament favourites Bangladesh Ansar and VDP.
Mohammedan posted 127 for five in 34 overs in reply to Ansar and VDP’s 123 in the allotted 35 overs.
Ansars made a poor start after deciding to bat as Mohammedan claimed their first wicket in the fifth over when Ayesha Akhtar fell to Thahin Tahera while the other opener Shahnaj Akter was run out in the 11th over.
Little resistance came from captain Panna Ghosh, who made 44 off 50 balls that featured five fours and a six, and Reshma Akter, who added 23 off 32 balls with three fours.
Shuktara caused huge trouble with her flighted off-breaks and took four for 29 from her quota of seven overs, but captain Salma Akhter however was probably the most decisive bowler with fantastic figures of 7-4-6-1.
In reply to the small target, Mohammedan started their innings very slowly and reached 52 for 2 in 20 overs. Salma made 28 off 46 balls with two fours and Shaila contributed 24 off 67 balls that contained three boundaries.
Ansar and VDP didn’t help their cause either with some poor fielding.
Ansar’s Shohely Akter captured two wickets for 26 runs while Tithi Rani had an economic spell, just giving 15 runs from 7 overs with 2 maidens and a wicket.
Shuktara was adjudged player-of-the-match and shared the player-of-the-tournament trophy with Panna.
“It is certainly a big prize for me. My team won the championship and that is much more precious,” said Shuktara.
“We worked hard and we practised well. Our hard works brought us the success. We are thankful to the BCB for arranging this tournament and we hope that if we keep getting their support we will surely be selected for the World Cup in the near future,” said Salma.
Before the start of the final a minute’s silence was observed in memory of eminent nuclear scientist and husband of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina Dr. MA Wazed Miah and executive editor of sports fortnightly Krirajagat Salma Rafiq.

Courtesy of The Daily Star