UAE’s women cricketers produce exciting cricket through a tie and a Super Over finish

 By K.R. Nayar

The cream of UAE women cricketers used their first televised match to prove that they have the ability to entertain cricket fans around the world through an edge of the seat thriller. ECB Hawks beat ECB Falcons in a Super Over after their scores were tied.

ECB Hawks skipper Chaya Mughal receives the winners trophy from Vivek Chandra, Director, ITW Consulting and Mubashshir Usmani, Secretary-General, Emirates Cricket,  

UAE’s women’s cricketers announced that they can produce entertaining cricket through a nerve-cracking edge of the seat thriller during the Fancode Emirates D10 2021 powered by SKY 247 at the Sharjah Cricket Stadium. It was a televised exhibition match organised by the Emirates Cricket Board in conjunction with ITW in which the best UAE women cricketers were divided into two teams –ECB Hawks and ECB Falcons. These women cricketers used the opportunity to let the world know that they too are a treat to watch.

ECB Falcons, electing to bat first, posted 56 for 6 in 10 overs. The team’s star performer was their captain Kavisha Kumari, who top scored with 38 runs. UAE Hawks’ Chamani Senevirathne checked Falcons’ run flow with two wickets for just nine runs from two overs. Skipper Chaya Mughal and Khushi Sharma chipped in with one wicket each.

ECB Hawks team with the trophy

ECB Hawks chased the target through Chaya Mughal hitting a fluent 27 runs while Subha Srinivasan and Theertha Satish chipped in with 12 and seven runs respectively. The drama began after Sumaira Dharnidharka trapped Chaya leg before when ECB Falcons were strongly positioned at 42 for 1 in the seventh over. A series of run outs followed and Kavisha Kumari, taking the responsibility of containing runs in the last over, bowled tightly to level the score.

In the Super Over, Kumari pulled off a leaping return catch offered by her counterpart Chaya, and in the process injured her head. Although she managed to complete the over, she gave away seven valuable runs. Hawks then defended that total when Senevirathne trapped both Kavisha Kumari and Mahika Gaur leg before when only two runs were scored.

The match was held before the final of the Emirates D10 between Sharjah and Fujairah and it looked like it was a message from the women that they too can fight like their male counterparts.  A T10 tournament without a tie would have been incomplete, and that was dished out by the women to add glitter to the event.

ECB Falcons skipper Kavisha Kumari

Speaking to krbuzz.blogspot.com Chaya Mughal, who received the winners’ trophy from Vivek Chandra, Director, ITW Consulting and Mubashshir Usmani, Secretary-General, Emirates Cricket, said: “It’s always amazing to be the captain of the winning team. However, the victory becomes even more special when its witnessed by millions across the globe and when it is the first of its kind.”

Commenting on the experience, Chaya who is a teacher by profession, added: “Last night was something which is beyond explanation as it has provided a supernatural confidence and a new recognition to the members of the UAE Women’s team. How the girls carried themselves in front of the camera with a positive body language and attitude was remarkable.”

UAE's women umpires walk out to officiate the match 

The match was watched by many parents from the stadium and most of them were also watching the television coverage on their mobiles. Chaya then talked about the exciting moments of the match. “What’s most important was keeping our nerves cool when the situation went beyond control from winning a game and falling into the super over in the very first game. But the girls were still confident of winning no matter what the situation was. I must not forget the contribution from Team Falcons. They played equally well. The expectation of having a competitive game was met yesterday when both the teams gave their 100% to win the match.”

Chaya revealed that the match has made a huge impact in the women cricket fraternity. “I want to thank Emirates Cricket Board, ITW, Sky247.net, Fancode for taking the initiative and hosting such a fabulous event for women’s cricket, which will encourage many cricketers to come forward and join this sport.”