The first East vs West women’s T20 championship concluded with an exciting showdown last Saturday, highlighting the remarkable abilities and future potential of women’s cricket in Fiji. The tournament took place at the scenic Denarau Oval and showcased the finalists from the Suva and Nadi 2024/2025 T20 Women’s League.
The championship match featured a captivating contest between the Nausori Majidez and Nadi Development. Nausori Majidez set the stage by batting first and delivering a superb performance that saw them score 157 runs for three wickets. Silivia Kijiana stood out with an impressive 77 runs, while her teammate Mele Waqanisau contributed significantly with a solid 46 runs. Nadi’s bowler Salome Wotta claimed the only wicket for her team, finishing her spell with figures of one wicket for 10 runs across a single over.
In pursuit of the challenging target, Nadi Development put up a valiant fight but ultimately managed only 95 runs for six wickets. Salome Wotta again demonstrated her all-round talent by scoring 21 runs, with Selina Kotoisuva adding 16 runs to the total. However, Nausori Majidez’s formidable bowling attack, spearheaded by Kara Vakuruivalu who took three wickets for 21 runs in just three overs, proved to be too strong. Nausori Majidez triumphed by a convincing 62 runs, securing the title of the inaugural East vs West women’s T20 champions.
The championship kicked off with an intense runners-up challenge, where the Black Ducks faced off against Saunivalu. Saunivalu batted first but could only muster 68 runs for 3 wickets, with Maraia Driu leading the scoring with 17 runs while Meredani Vuli supported with 12 runs. The standout bowler for the Black Ducks was Akata, who captured 2 wickets for just 11 runs over two overs. The Black Ducks chased down the modest target confidently, finishing at 69 runs for 6 wickets, thanks to resilient contributions from Ilisabeta, who scored 25 runs, and Elena Laini, who added 22 runs. They achieved a 4-wicket victory, despite Lavenia Nasoso’s impressive bowling for Saunivalu, where she took 3 wickets for 20 runs in her 2 overs.
This tournament not only showcased the skills of the players but also served as a vital platform for the development and promotion of women’s cricket in Fiji, highlighting the growing interest and investment in the sport. The success of the championship can inspire more events, giving rise to future stars in women’s cricket.
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