CRICKET – BAHRAIN’S women’s cricket national team lost to Qatar yesterday to fall behind 1-3 in their bilateral T20i Series at West End Park International Cricket Stadium in Doha.
After losing the toss and being out into bat, the visitors scored 128 runs losing eight wickets in their allotted 20 overs.
The innings was marked by Deepika Rasangika Herath’s fighting knock of 38 off 39 balls, which stood out in an otherwise challenging performance for Bahrain.
Other key contributions came from Ishara Madhuwanti (30 from 34 balls) and Abeera Waris Ali (14 from 13 balls). Bahrain’s total was also bolstered by 35 extras, including 30 wides, which further highlighted the struggles of their batting line-up.
The Qatar bowlers dominated throughout, with Sudha Thapa being the standout performer. She claimed three wickets for 19 runs in her four overs, while Aysha supported well with two wickets for 22 runs.
Sabeeja Adiyeri Panayan also had an impressive outing, picking up one wicket for 20 in her four overs. Bahrain’s batter found it difficult to score freely, with several players falling cheaply.
Chasing a target of 129 runs, Qatar’s women easily cruised to victory, finishing with 129/1 in just 15 overs, winning by nine wickets with five balls to spare.
The chase was anchored by a brilliant knock from Rizpha Bano, who scored 58 runs off 48 balls, including 10 boundaries. Bano’s innings was aggressive, setting the tone for Qatar’s chase.
Support came from Shereen Nawab Khan, who remained unbeaten on 20 from 37 balls, while Aysha played a blistering cameo, scoring 21 off just nine balls, including four boundaries, at an astonishing strike rate of 233.33.
Bahrain’s bowlers struggled to make an impact. The best figures came from Sadamali Nishshanka, who bowled economically for 16 runs in three overs, but failed to take any wickets.
The rest of the Bahrain bowling attack was ineffective, with Herath’s lone wicket accounting for the only success as she dismissed Bano.
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