Byju's Bengal Women's T20 Blast: Dominating Mohammedan Sporting beats Rajasthan Club in the final

Mohammedan Sporting Club wins the inaugural Byju's Bengal Women's T20 Blast by defeating Rajasthan Club by 7 wickets. Senior wicket-keeper batter Priyanka Bala scored a beautiful fifty to take her team home in the most important match of the tournament. Priyanka was adjudged the player of the match for this match-winning 59 not out off 43 balls.

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The final started in a bizarre way for Rajasthan Club as the skipper of the team Dhara Gujjar went for a quick brace and felt short. Bidisha Dey's rocket throw from the deep square leg was the undoing for the Rajasthan Club skipper.

Post that run-out, Rajasthan never looked comfortable against the pace and bounce of Titas Sadhu. Titas had already caught the eyes of the coaches and selectors with her pace and bounce. Not only that Titas was getting the most of the wicket as she took the wicket of Bidisha Dey. The scoreboard looked horrible at 23 for 4 after 5.3 overs for Rajasthan Club. But then came Rupa Dutta to rescue Dhara Gujjar's team in the final.

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Rupa kept on changing the strikes but she was lacking support from the other end. Captain Mita Paul kept on changing her bowlers as Mohammedan continued to take wickets in the middle overs. Mita's brilliant game reading ability helped her rotate the bowlers as Sushmita Ganguly, Mamani Roy and Payel Vakaria were introduced in the bowling sheet. Mita chipped in with a few economical overs as well.

Rajasthan Club was struggling at 71/8 after 16.3 overs as Mouli Paul could only stay four balls. However, Rupa kept on hitting the balls in the gap and kept on piling vital runs for the team. Rupa's one paddle sweep to Sushmita Ganguly was one of the highlights of her inning.

However, her long vigil at the crease came to end as she could not handle a quick bouncer from Titas in the final over. Rajasthan was bundled out for 94 which somehow looked respectable with the start they had.

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With nearly one hand in the trophy, the tournament's leading run-getter Mita Paul opened the inning for Mohammedan. The opening over saw the captain's battle as Dhara rolled over her arm with her medium pace. However, Mita departed for a 7 in a disastrous way as she was caught by the wicket-keeper while playing an expensive scoop against Dhara.

The game looked even-stevens after the departure of Mita. However, Mohammedan's batting was too good for a collapse. Priyanka Bala came in and started well with a destructive flick to Dhara. Meanwhile, Srabani Paul, another opener batter kept guiding the ball in gaps.

Priyanka Bala started showing her power game as the game shifted in one over. Mouli Paul came into bowling in the fifth over and delivered two juicy full tosses to Priyanka as she did not miss the opportunity to convert them into boundaries. Mouli's first over cost 18 and Mohammedan never looked back after that.

Priyanka's pull shot to Rupa Dutta was one of the shots of the day as the audience present in the ground seemed to enjoy the class act of the wicket-keeper. Even Saika Isqaue's experience could not hold the Mohammedan team to go the distance. Though, Srabani was forced to leave the case after the mishap between the batter. Paul was run out for 25 off 26 with the team needing only 12 runs.

Meantime, Priyanka completed a well-deserving fifty off just 40 balls. Mohammedan completed the winning run as Dhara's wide ball was the curtains to the wonderful tournament hosted by the Cricket Association of Bengal.

Post the final Deepak Kumar Singh, secretary of Mohammedan Sporting Club said, "The team has been exceptional throughout the tournament. We have announced a whole team prize of Rs.2 lakh post the win. In addition with that individual prize as cash has been announced for the best batter, best bowler and player of the tournament from our side."

"Mohammedan Sporting has always been with the CAB helping the Bengal cricket grow. I see a lot of potential in every player. Please have an eye on Mita Paul and Titas Sadhu."

Deepak Kumar Singh, secretary of Mohammedan Sporting Club

Byju's Bengal Women's T20 Blast: All the award winners

Highest run-getter: Mita Paul, 374 runs

Highest wicket-taker: Ananya Halder, 17 wickets

Man of the series: Mita Paul