A match-winning stand between Radha Yadav and Shweta Mane powered West Zone to a tense three-wicket win over Central Zone in the final of the Senior Women’s Inter-Zonal One-Day Trophy at the BCCI Centre of Excellence in Bengaluru on Sunday, March 15.
The duo put together a crucial 174-run partnership from 173 deliveries as West Zone staged a remarkable recovery from 68 for six while chasing 253. Radha struck 92 off 90 balls, including 10 boundaries, while Mane remained unbeaten on 91 from 94 deliveries with eight fours.
After being sent in to bat, Central Zone suffered an early setback with the dismissal of opener and captain Nuzhat Parween. However, the innings regained momentum despite the fall of leading run-scorer Shipra Giri for 30. Varnika Choudhary (55) and Muskan Malik (54) both registered half-centuries, steadying the innings before Pooja Vastrakar contributed a brisk 72 to push the total forward. Central Zone eventually closed on 252 for six from their 50 overs.
With the ball, Pragya Rawat and Krutika Chaudhari claimed two wickets each, while Radha also chipped in with one.
In reply, West Zone endured a difficult start as tournament top run-scorer Humairaa Kaazi was dismissed in the opening over, triggering a collapse that left the side struggling at 68 for six. Poonam Yadav led the bowling effort with three wickets, and only Poonam Khemnar provided notable resistance with her 48.
Following Khemnar’s departure, Mane joined Radha in the middle, and the pair took control with a decisive stand that carried West Zone close to victory. Radha was run out just eight runs short of a century, but by then the target was within reach, with only 11 runs required. Rawat then partnered Mane to guide the team home with three balls remaining.
