Dubai: Riding on Nisha Ali’s world record performance, UAE women’s team got off to a winning start in the International Cricket Council (ICC) Women’s World T20 Qualifier by defeating hosts Netherlands by six wickets.
Nisha, who cracked 69 runs off 59 balls with nine boundaries and helped UAE chase Netherlands total of 137 for three, ensured the victory with two balls to spare and bag the player of the match award.
This is the fifth consecutive time that Nisha have won the player of the tournament award in an international match.
In November last year, Nisha had won four consecutive Player of the Tournament awards in the ICC Women’s World Twenty20 qualifying series from the Asia region in Bangkok to equal the world record held by former Indian captain Sourav Ganguly, who had won four Man of the Match awards in succession against Pakistan during the Toronto Friendship Cup way back in 1997.
The record Nisha has broken had stood unbroken for 21 years.
Speaking to Gulf News from Utrecht, Nisha said: “I had no idea it will turn out to be a world record but feels very good. I am so happy that I have played this knock at the right time when the team needed the most.”
Talking about her innings, Nisha said: “The conditions here are completely different from the UAE with lot of breeze and the ball swinging hugely but it was a good batting track. As this was our first game our team wanted a win so when I went in to bat, I told myself that if our opponents can score 137 then surely we too can do it. I played according to the merit of the ball.”
Nisha, who is the physical education teacher of the JSS Private School also coaches at the Springs Academy, had played a pivotal role in UAE qualifying for the (ICC) Women’s World T20 Qualifier in Bangkok.
Netherlands elected to bat after winning the toss. Subha Srinivasan had Netherlands opener and captain Heather Siegers caught behind by wicketkeeper Judit Cleetus for 11. Cleetus also stumped Denise Hannema for 23 off Heena Hotchandani. Netherlands opener Sterre Laurien Kalis cracked an unbeaten 88 to give Netherlands a challenging total.
Chasing the target, UAE lost opener Esha Oza for 5 but one-drop Chaya Mughal and Nisha put on a 110 runs partnership.
Brief scores:
UAE bt Netherlands by 6 wkts. Netherlands 137 for 3 in 20 overs (Sterre Kalis 88n.o, Denise Hannema 23; Heena Hotchandani 2 for 18) UAE 138 for 4 in 19.4 overs (Nisha Ali 69, Chaya Mughal 36; MEC de Fouw 3 for 31). Player of the match: Nisha Ali
