Post News Network
Cuttack, Jan 4: They are second class citizens as far as cricket in Orissa is concerned and are also much less paid than their men counterparts. But while the Orissa eves scripted their third successive win in the Senior Women’s T20 cricket tournament at Jabalpur, the men made it three-in-a-row losses in their Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy campaign at the Barabati Stadium here Monday.
In the men’s game against Maharashtra, the hosts riding on a brilliant knock of 102 (59b, 8×4, 6×6) from Biplab Samantray and his 155-run partnership for the third wicket with skipper Govind Poddar (63, 43b, 2×4, 5×6) scored 183 runs for the loss of four wickets in 20 overs.
But on a day when the batting worked, the bowlers failed to deliver. Their cause suffered as Orissa conceded five boundaries due to misfielding and one off an overthrow and that resulted in the hosts losing the game.
With two overs to go, Maharashtra needed 31 runs to win. Biplab, bowling at the death gave away 16 runs to bring down the equation to 15 off six. Basant Mohanty (2/32) went for a six and a four – hit by Ankit Bawne (49, 24b, 3×4, 4×6) in the last over. Even though Laganjit Samal effected the run out of Prayag Bhatti (44, 33b, 3×4, 3×6) in the very next ball, SS Mundhe manage to scramble home a single to win the game on the last ball of the game.
The visitors at one stage were 84 for five in the 12th over before Bawne and Bhatti rescued their side with a 97-run partnership for the sixth wicket in only 56 balls. With the Orissa fielders allowing to let go shots through their legs, the job of the Maharshtra batters became much more easier.
Orissa are thus out of contention for the knockout stages having lost all their three matches in Group D.
While the men floundered a brilliant spell of spin bowling by Priyanka Priyadarshini (4/13) helped the eves beat their Punjab counterparts by eight wickets in a Group A game. Registering their third victory on the trot, the eves are more or less guaranteed themselves of a place in the knockout stage.
Batting first, Punjab could only manage 92 for nine in 20 overs. In reply, Orissa knocked off the runs in and scored 93 for two 13 balls remaining. Madhusmita Behera (40 n o, 49b, 3×4) anchoring the chase to perfection.