Vastrakar's 4-Fer Helps Supernovas Hand Trailblazers A Massive Defeat In Women's T20 Challenge

Supernovas defeated Trailblazers by 49 runs in the first match of Women's T20 Challenge 2022.

Trailblazers vs Supernovas T20 Challenge: 22-year old Pooja Vastrakar emerged as the star for Supernovas in the second innings with her 4 wickets as they handed defending champions Trailblazers a 49 run thrashing in the first match.

Vastrakar dismissed Hayley Matthews (18) in the 5th over and broke the 39-run opening partnership. The right-arm medium bowler went on to dismiss Trailblazers captain Smriti Mandhana (34) in the 8th over and provided a second wicket for Supernovas, diminishing the defending champion's hopes.

The young bowler didn't stop there and went on to dismiss Sophia Dunkley (1) in the same over. With the wicket of Salma Khatun in the 12th over, Vastrakar completed 4 wickets. Alana King picked up 2 wickets while Meghna Singh & Sophie Ecclestone picked up 1 wicket each to restrict Trailblazers to 114/9.

For Trailblazers, captain Smriti Mandhana was the top scorer with 34 runs, followed by Jemimah Rodrigues with 24 runs. Hayley Matthews scored 18, and none of the other batters were able to cross the single-digit mark, losing the match by 49 runs. 

In the first innings, after a blazing start by Supernovas, Trailblazers bowlers made a comeback as the former posted a total of 164 after winning the toss & opting to bat first in the first match of Women's T20 Challenge 2022. 

Supernovas' openers - Deandra Dottin & Priya Punia, etched a partnership of 50 runs in 30 deliveries for the first wicket. Dottin was dismissed on the last delivery of the 4th over due to a run out at a team total of 50. Dottin had to walk back inside the powerplay after smacking 32 runs in 17 deliveries including 5 fours & a six at a strike rate of 188.24. 

Harleen Deol came out to bat next and Supernovas lost their other opener - Priya Punia (22) in the 8th over. Skipper Harmanpreet Kaur came out to bat next and added 37 runs in 25 deliveries for the 3rd wicket. Harleen was dismissed in the 12th over by Salma Khatun. 

Supernovas lost wickets in succession in the 15th and 16th over in the form of Sune Luus (10) and Alana King (5) by Gayakwad & Salma Khatun respectively. Pooja Vastrakar was dismissed next in the 19th over after scoring 14 runs in 12 deliveries. Skipper Harmanrpeet Kaur scored 37 runs in 29 deliveries with 4 fours before getting dismissed via a run out in the 19th over, but helping Supernovas to the highest total ever in Women's T20 Challenge - 163.

For Trailblazers, Hayley Matthew picked up 3 wickets while Salma Khatun registered 2 wickets. Rajeshwari Gayakwad and Poonam Yadav picked up 1 wicket each. 

Earlier, Supernovas captain Harmanpreet Kaur won the toss & opted to bat first against Trailblazers in the 1st match of Women's T20 Challenge 2022. This match is being played at Maharashtra Cricket Association Stadium, Pune. 

Brief Score:

Supernovas - 163/10 in 20 overs (Kaur - 37(29), Matthews - 3/29)

Trailblazers - 114/9 (Smriti - 34(23), Vastrakar - 4/12)