Nepal's Rubina Chhetry Belbashi registered maiden fifer of her T20 career to destroy Sana Mir-led Sapphires Women batting lineup in FairBreak Invitation T20 tournament. Bowling for Lauren Winfield-Hill's Barmy Army, Rubina's economical fifer helped her side win by a massive margin of 61 runs.
She started off with the wicket of Erin Burns. The Australian batter tried to flick it towards square leg but all she could manage a top edge which landed safely in the wicketkeeper's gloves. She struck again in the fifth over of the innings with the wicket of Kuwait's Maryam Omar who took the aerial route and got caught in the deep.
Brought back into the attack in the 11th over, she dragged the length back on seeing Babette de Leedee come down the track. The Dutch batter missed the ball as she was not in a position to play the shot. Lauren was quick to take the bails off in a flash as Sapphires lost the crucial wicket of their opener.
In the same over Hong Kong's Kary Chan played four consecutive dot balls. She tried to release pressure with a boundary. In an attempt to find room on the offside she missed the length and got bowled for a duck. Her fifth wicket was skipper Sana. In the 15th over, she went for a big heave and got caught by Shemaine Campbelle who dived forward.
As a result, Sapphires got all out for 107 in the run chase of 169. The massive win helped Barmy Army finish second on the points table. They will take on Falcons Women in the second semi-final on April 15.
Earlier, Rubina contributed with the bat as well. Batting at no.8, she shared a crucial 47-run partnership for the ninth wicket with Tara Norris. She remained unbeaten for 32 off 25 deliveries. Her cameo included one four and two sixes. The partnership helped Barmy Army post a fighting total of 168/8 after losing the toss. The 29-year-old Nepal all-rounder was adjudged ‘Player of the match’ for her exceptional performance. She also became the first Associate player to take a fifer in the tournament.
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