Pokhara (Nepal): Odisha girl Phula Soren’s all-round performance helped the Indian women’s team level the bilateral series for the blind against Nepal.
Having lost the first T20I yesterday, the Indian girls put up a strong performance with ball and bat to beat the home team by 9 wickets at Pokhara Stadium on Wednesday.
Nepal, asked to bat first after India captain Sushma Patel won the toss, were dealt an early blow as Phula dismissed Gita Poudel in the second over. Binita Pun, centurion of the series opener, was run out in the next over. Nepal ultimately managed 172 in 20 overs.
Phula and Simu Das then hit unbeaten half-centuries to overhaul the target in the 15th over itself.
Openers Phula and Ganga got Indian off to a quick start, racing to 64 in 6.2 runs before the latter was run out.
Simu, a player from B1 category, joined Phula, and the duo continued in the same vein.
Simu remained unbeaten on 66 off 27 balls, hitting 2 boundaries. Phula’s unbeaten 65 came off 43 deliveries and included 5 boundaries.
Simu was adjudged Player of the Match.
The third match of the series will be played on April 28 at Mulpani Cricket Ground, Kathmandu.
Brief scores: Nepal 172 all out in 20 overs (Sarita Ghimire 56; Sushma Patel 1/15, Ganga 1/21, Phula Soren 1/26). India 174/1 in 14.3 overs (Simu Das 66 not out, Phula Soren 65 not out).
Result: India won by 9 wickets.
