South Garo Hills won their third match on the trot to qualify for the final of the Meghalaya Cricket Association’s Inter District U-19 Women’s Cricket Tournament from Zone 2 in Williamnagar, East Garo Hills.
SGH defeated EGH by nine wickets thanks to the devastating bowling of Smillin N Sangma, who claimed the best figures of the tournament thus far with a haul of 7/9 in six overs.
As a result, EGH were dismissed for only 25 after winning the toss and electing to bat. SGH lost one wicket but completed the chase in just 4 overs, with Janika R Marak hitting 16 not out and Jaylynn R Marak 7 not out.
Their team thus progressed directly to the final. SGH topped the single-group Zone 2 with a full six points from three outings.
Meanwhile, in Group B of Zone 1, Shillong Cricket Association topped the group with a 3-run victory over South West Khasi Hills in Nongkhrah, Ri-Bhoi.
South West Khasi Hills won the toss and chose to field, and Shillong then managed 187/5 in a reduced innings of 26 overs a side. Suriti K Ray blazed a trail with 66 runs off 49 balls before she was run out.
SWKH gave Shillong a real run for their money but ultimately fell just short in the chase on 184/6. Indariakor Kharwanniang (29) and Nesilin Nongsiej (28) were the top-scorers.
The next match will be the Zone 1 playoff between Ri-Bhoi and Shillong. Ri-Bhoi qualified from Group A on net run rate, as all three teams (West Khasi Hills and East Khasi Hills, being the other two) had 2 points each.
The winners will go on to face South Garo Hills in the final on 3 March.
