UP women shine, beat Assam in One-Day Trophy

Kanpur: Openers Varnika and Sampada Dixit struck fluent half-centuries and shared a 133-run opening partnership to guide Uttar Pradesh Women to a 5-wicket victory over Assam women in a pool league match of the Senior Women's One-Day Trophy at the Sanosara Cricket ground in Rajkot on Wednesday.Deciding to bat, Assam posted 201 for 7 in their allotted 50 overs, riding on an unbeaten 61 by Florina Taye. In reply, Uttar Pradesh chased down the target comfortably, reaching 204 for 5 in 35 overs Varnika and Sampada laid a solid foundation for the chase, displaying a fine mix of caution and aggression as they dominated the Assam bowling for the first 22 overs. The duo added 133 runs before Rashmi Dey provided the breakthrough by bowling Varnika, who scored 68 off 65 balls with 12 boundaries. Dey later trapped Sampada leg-before, the opener made 67 from 78 balls, including 10 fours.
Nirupama then struck twice, removing Nishu (22 off 17 balls), Muskan Malik (7) and skipper Archana Devi (4), briefly pegging Uttar Pradesh back at 187 for 5. Nirupama finished as the most successful Assam bowler with 3 wickets, while Dey claimed 2.Earlier, Assam's innings was jolted by early strikes from Sonali Singh, Shilpi Yadav and Archana Devi, reducing them to 67 for 4 in 15.1 overs. Monika Das and Florina Taye steadied the innings with a 41-run stand for the 5th wicket. Florina went on to add a crucial 50-run partnership with Shivani Bishnoi, helping Assam approach the 200-run mark. Khushi Tyagi broke the stand by dismissing Bishnoi for 26, while Kaku Barman contributed 14 before being stumped by Nishi Kashyap. Florina remained unbeaten on 61 off 110 balls, striking 6 boundaries, as Assam crossed the 200-run mark.Brief score: Assam- 201 for 7 (Khushi Sharma 9, Amontika Munda 18, Rashmi Dey 26, Gayatri Gurung 1, Monika Das 21, Florina Taye 61no, Shivani Bishnoi 26, Kaku Barman 14, Nirupama Baro 9 no, Sonali Singh 1 for 24, Shilpi Yadav 3 for 24, Archana Devi 1 for 43, Khushi Tyagi 1 for 11). UP-204 for 5 (Varnika 68, Sampada Dixit 67, Nishu Choudhary 22, Muskan Malik 7, Archana Devi 4, Nishi Kashyap 23no, Sonali Singh 3no, Rashmi Dey 2 for 54, Nirupama Baro 3 for 35