Cuttack, Aug 15: Seasoned campaigners Madhuri Mehta and Sarita Meher enabled Bolangir to beat Cuttack by 17 runs (DLS method) and win the Odisha Cricket Association (OCA) hosted Inter District T20 Cricket Tournament 2024.
Electing to bat first after winning the toss, Bolangir amassed 136/5 in the allotted 20 overs at Bidanasi Ground, here.
Bolangir skipper and former India opener Madhuri scored 65 runs in 52 balls. She was ably supported by the other senior batter of the side Sarita Meher, who put on board 40 runs in 32 balls.
For Cuttack Subhra Nirjharini Swain (2/25) and Kalpana Nayak (1/15) claimed success with the ball.
In reply, Cuttack could gather 106/8 in 18 overs and lost the match by 17 runs in DLS method.
Cuttack's Tanmayee Behera (46 in 52 balls) and wicketkeeper Monalisha Rout (17 in 26 balls) did make an effort, but Bolangir bowlers and fielders put up a valiant effort to choke their opponents and script a memorable win in the summit clash on Wednesday.
Off-spinner Sarada Mahanand topped the bowling chart for Bolangir with 4 scalps in her quota of 4 overs. She gave away only 16 runs. Young pacer Pratyasha P Bag too joined the party with 1/20 figure in her 4 overs.
The much rain-affected tournament started with preliminary league matches from July 22 to August 6. As many as 29 teams across Odisha participated in the tournament.
Six teams qualified for the Super League stages and two more teams (Rest of Odisha A and B) were constituted taking key performers from the remaining 23 teams.
From the eight teams in the Super League, Bolangir and Cuttack with better performances qualified for the title fight. Finally, Bolangir emerged champions and Cuttack finished runners-up.
Chief guest of the occasion Ashirbad Behera , Odisha Athletics Association (OAA) and Football Association of Odisha (FAO) secretary gave away the prizes to the winners, OCA sources informed.
Among others, OCA vice president Pankaj Lochan Mohanty, other OCA office bearers, Head Coach of Odisha senior women team Suman Sharma, other coaches, match officials and players attended the prize giving ceremony.
