Meghalaya upsets Sikkim to win NECDC women’s tourney
Meghalaya defeated Sikkim by two wickets to clinch the 2nd NECDC Senior Women’s Inter-State Tournament.
Monica Lyngdoh Phawa hit a 28-ball 37 and captain Debasmita Dutta scored a steady 35 as Meghalaya chased down a 115-run target with three balls remaining to beat Sikkim, the last year’s joint winners with Nagaland.
After opting to bat first, Sikkim posted a competitive total of 114-4 in 20 overs. Priyanka Kurmi top-scored with 43 and Preetika Chettri contributed with 29. For Meghalaya, captain Debasmita Dutta and Monica Singh took one wicket each, while two Sikkim batters were run out.
Meghalaya, in reply, lost their opener Luiza Tamang early. However, senior batter Debasmita and young wicket-keeper-batter Monica Lyngdoh Phawa steadied the innings with a 45-run partnership for the third wicket.
Sikkim claimed the wicket of Debasmita in the 15th over and picked up two more wickets to leave Meghalaya at 94-6 at the end of 17 overs, with 21 runs needed from the final three overs. Though Meghalaya lost two more wickets, their tail-enders made handy contributions and eventually won the match with just three balls to spare, in yet another last over finish.
Monica Lyngdoh Phawa received Player of the Match award for her crucial 37-run knock which came off just 28 balls. Primula Chettri of Sikkim received Player of the Tournament award for her all-round performance. She also claimed the Highest Wicket-Taker award with nine wickets in four matches. Samayita Roy Prodhan, also from Sikkim, finished as the tournament’s highest run-scorer with 139 runs.
The final was graced by Namthang-Rateypani MLA Sanjeet Kharel as the chief guest. Among the special guests we had were Linda Palmo Bhutia, Commandant, Sikkim Armed Police; Timothy William Basnett, former MLA; Am Prasad Sharma, former MLA; Sanjeev Kumar Khati, President, Rangpo Nagar Panchayat; R.B Biswakarma, Additional Director, Sports & Youth Affairs Department; Rayonald Kharkamni, Honorary Secretary, Meghalaya Cricket Association; Shankar Newar, Coach and member, Meghalaya Cricket Association; Amita G. Thapa, Secretary, Tennis Ball Cricket Association of Sikkim; and Sailesh Rai, HR Head, Aristo Pharmaceuticals.
The Sikkim Cricket Association is happy to have hosted the NECDC tournament for the first time in Sikkim. It was another big moment for cricket in the state and we thank NECDC for giving us this opportunity. The tournament was played in great spirit by all six teams and we are grateful to everyone who made it a success.