In a first, MCA launches tournament for women

MUMBAI: In a laudable initiative, the Mumbai Cricket Association (MCA) on Thursday launched the Women’s Challenger Trophy, a special limited overs tournament for women cricketers of the city.
“This is the first time that the MCA is conducting such a tournament on this large a scale. The idea to start it was given by our Apex Council member (ex-India women’s cricketer) Samantha Lobatto. It’s due to her efforts that the tournament has been launched.It’s a good tournament where Mumbai’s women cricketers can showcase their skills,” MCA secretary Sanjay Naik told TOI on Thursday.
Before the season began, batting legend Sachin Tendulkar, in a meeting with the Apex Council members, had asked the association to take steps to develop women’s cricket. “Tendulkar had suggested to us to give more exposure to Mumbai’s women cricketers,” Naik said.
The teams have been divided into Team Yellow, Team Orange, Team Red, and Team Blue. The final will be played on January 18 at the Sachin Tendulkar Gymkhana in Kandivali.
On Thursday, in SRT-1 at Kandivali, Team Orange beat Team Yellow. Batting first, Team Orange scored 183 for two in 40 overs, with Nidhi Dawda 53 (100), Manjiri Gawde 48* (45) and Hummaira Kazi 41* (30) being the main run-scorers. Team Orange’s Fatima Jaffer then took three for 19 to restrict Team Yellow to 133 for six in 40 overs. Achal Valaju 30 (95) and Pooja Yadav 35 (52) contributed for Team Yellow.
At SRT-2 in Kandivali, Team Blue beat Team Red by two wickets in a close encounter. Sayali Satghare (three for 17) and Prakashika Naik (three for 13) took three wickets each to help Team Blue bundled out Team Red for 109 in 37.4 overs. Riya Chaudhari, who slammed 69 (98b, 8x4) played the lone ranger for Team Red. A crucial knock by Jagravi Pawar (32 not out, 60b, 4x4) helped Team Blue sneak home in 35.2 overs.