The victorious Kerala team along with support staff. Photo: By Special ArrangementMumbai: Kerala women scripted history by clinching the national under-23 Twenty20 title here on Wednesday. They beat Maharashtra by five wickets in the final.
This is the first time Kerala have won a national cricket title in men's or women's section. Kerala, led by Sajana S and coached by Suman Sharma, reigned supreme by winning all five games in the Super League.
Maharashtra, who chose to bat on winning the toss, ended up with 114/4 in 20 overs. Opener M R Magre top-scored with 33. Keerthy James was the lone successful Kerala bowler (1/21) while three Maharashtra players were run out.
Though Kerala slipped to 50/4, Akshaya A (37) and Sajana (24 not out) added 37 runs for the fifth wicket to put the chase back on track.
Sajana and Drishya I V (16 not out) took them home with one ball to spare.
Kerala had earlier beaten Punjab, Madhya Pradesh, Bengal and Mumbai.
Brief scores: Maharashtra 114/4 in 20 overs (M R Magre 33) lost to Kerala 115/5 in 19.5 overs (Akshaya A 37).
