KATHMANDU, Oct 24: Kat Queens Kathmandu is set to challenge unbeaten Chitwan Rhinos in the final match of the first-ever women’s franchise T20 cricket league, Women’s Champions League (WCL) on Thursday.
Indu Verma-led Rhinos won all league games to directly seal its place in the final topping the five-team group stage.
Kat Queens led by national cricket team captain Rubina Chhetri made an emphatic comeback in the league after losing its first group match against Rhinos. It won all the remaining matches and Eliminator round against Biratnagar Titans to set the final face-off.
Kat Queens finished second in group making the final match truly the contest between the two best sides of the tournament.
Chhetri stressed on knowing the opponent better than the first match when her team was caught off-guard.
“We lost the first match against them (Rhinos) but we had time to observe them and we are better prepared for the final,” said Chhetri.
Unbeaten Rhinos lift WCL trophy beating Kat Queens
Chhetri is the leading run scorer of the tournament with two unbeaten half-centuries to her name.
She also registered record bowling figures in the Eliminator match single-handedly knocking Titans out of the final race.
However, she stated that team performance will be crucial for final match.
“Individual brilliances are always great but in matches like this, performances from the whole team will be crucial. We have shown fighting spirit after the first match loss and will look forward to continuing our positive momentum.”
Rhinos captain Verma said they will continue the winning streak and defeat Kat Queens twice to lift the historic first-ever WCL trophy.
“The mood among the players is very positive. We have won all the group games which show we have been playing some very good cricket. We are wary of Kat Queens threat. They have done well after first match defeat.”
Both the captains agreed on league to be historic and said it has provided motivation to Nepali women cricketers.
It also came in an ideal time as Nepal women cricket team’s next assignment is the 13th South Asian Games scheduled for December.
The winner of the WCL will receive Rs 700,000 as announced by the Queens Event management earlier this month whereas the runner-up will bag Rs 300,000.
Similarly, the player-of-the-series will receive a scooter and a cash prize of Rs 50,000 along with a one-year Red Rock (RR) deal for cricket equipment. The best batswoman and the best bowler will bag a purse of Rs 25,000 along with a year RR contracts each.
Fourth on the points table Pokhara Paltan and winless Lalitpur Falcons were knocked out after the group stage.
Titans had spent the most in the first-ever women players’ draft ceremony held for the WCL. Fifty-five players in total were drafted.
A total of 109 players had registered for the draft. Ten of them were categorized in Diamond whereas 18 were listed in Rubies. Similarly, 51 players registered for the Sapphires from which only 27 players were drafted.
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