JKCA Blues script thrilling victory over Pink XI to lift U-19 Women’s Cup

Jubilant JKCA Blues team posing alongwith Brig Anil Gupta, Member Administration JKCA and other dignitaries in Jammu.
Jubilant JKCA Blues team posing alongwith Brig Anil Gupta, Member Administration JKCA and other dignitaries in Jammu.

Excelsior Sports Correspondent

JAMMU/SRINAGAR, May 22: Scripting a thrilling 5-run win over equally strong JKCA Pink XI, JKCA Blues lifted the title trophy of the Under-19 Women’s One-Day Tournament, organised by the Jammu and Kashmir Cricket Association (JKCA) at GGM Science College Hostel Ground, here.
Avny Lavasa, Deputy Commissioner Jammu was the chief guest on the valedictory function, while former cricketers Seema Mir and Veena Sharma were the guests of honour and SP Rajni Sharma and Preeti Choudhary were the special guests.
Earlier, winning the toss and batting first, JKCA Blues scored a good total of 244 runs in 44 overs, losing 8 wickets in the process. Vanshika Phagetra and Neemami Slathia scored magnificent half centuries. Skipper Bhawandeep Kour contributed 22 runs to the total.  For JKCA Pink-XI, Abroo was the wrecker-in-chief, who took a brilliant hat-trick, while Rafia, Khushboo and Stonskit Dolma claimed one wicket each.
In reply, JKCA Pink XI scored 238 runs, thus lost the match in a thrilling contest by 6 wickets. Afreen slammed a magnificent century and Khushoo scored fifty. For JKCA Blues, Neelam, Aanvi and Shambhavi claimed one wicket each.
Abroo was declared best bowler for taking 24 wickets in the tournament, while Afreen was adjudged best batter for scoring 372 runs with 2 centuries in the tournament and Neemami was declared best all-rounder for scoring 234 runs and taking 12 wickets. Bhagyalakshmi got the best promising player award and Sehrish Tariq claimed best wicketkeeper award.
Speaking on the occasion, Brig Anil Gupta said that 42 girls each at Jammu and Srinagar out of a total of 75 each belonged to far off places and remote areas in the ongoing Under-19 Women’s One-Day Tournament.
Quoting the lines “You can lead horse to water but can’t make him drink”, Brig said that they have provided a platform for the players and it was up to them to grab the opportunity with both hands.