Kuwait National Women’s Cricket Team clinches the Triangular series in Qatar. The bilateral tournament comprised with three nations; Kuwait, Oman & the host, Qatar.
In the triangular series, Kuwait Women’s team won two matches in the League stages and reached the finals where they played against the rivals Oman. All-rounder Priyada Murali turned in a stand-out showing and steered Kuwait to a surprise seven-wicket triumph over Oman in the final of the QCA Women’s T20I Triangular Tournament at the Asian Town Stadium on Tuesday.
The Qatar Cricket Association, headed by Yousef Jeham al-Kuwari, hosted the event to give exposure and experience to the regional teams in a bid to raise their standard.
Kuwait’s 94-run chase began with a setback as Zeefa Jilani was dismissed for a duck by Yashika Verma. But Priyada Murali and new player Amna Shareef dug in and built a solid 79-run stand for the second wicket.
Just as Kuwait looked like getting a big win, they lost two quick wickets. At 80, Shareef got run out for 25 in 56 balls with a four and five runs later, Murali was returned by Sameera Khan.
Murali, who was also declared the Player of the Final, followed up her one wicket with cracking three boundaries in 40-ball 35. Later, Siobhan Lee and Maria Jasvi remained unbeaten and completed the formalities in 16.5 overs.
Batting first, Oman also suffered an early loss but their real problems began when they were about to reach the half-century mark. Maria Jasvi bowled opener Sakshi Vijaya for 19 to make it two for 47.
They lost four more players for an addition of 36 runs to be restricted at 93 for six. Besides Jasvi, Mariamma Hyder grabbed two wickets, while Murali and Siobhan Lee collected one wicket each.
Fiza made 18 not out with a four in 24 deliveries, Priyanka Edna chipped in with 18, with a boundary in 15 balls and Vijaya made 14 in 24 balls.
QCA President Yousef Jeham al-Kuwari and other QCA officials were present during the prize distribution ceremony. Al-Kuwari presented the awards and trophy. He congratulated the winners Kuwait for their outstanding performance. “We extend out heartiest congratulations to champions Kuwait for superb performance in the final. Oman also played well but they fell a bit short especially in the final. “Our aim was to provide opportunity to all the participating teams to play hard and learn through competition. The teams and players must have got a lot of positives from the triangular
“Also, we are delighted that another international event under the QCA banner came to a successful end after the inaugural Qatar T10 League, which we hosted last month. We are committed to raising the level of the Qatar and other teams in the region,” he added.
Result
Kuwait beat Oman by seven wickets
Oman: 93 for six (Sakshi Vijaya 19 in 32 balls, Vaishali Vijaya 14 in 24 balls, Fiza 18 not out in 24 balls, Priyanka Edna 18 in 15; Maria Jasvi 1/29, Priyada Murali 1/11, Mariamma Hyder 2/16, Siobhan Lee 1/14)
Kuwait: 94 for three in 16.5 overs (Priyada Murali 35 in 40 balls, Amna Shareef 25 in 56 balls; Yashika Verma 1/13, Sameera Khan 1/16)
Player of the Final: Priyada Murali (Kuwait).