Cricketing action for women resumes in the Gulf because it is the Bahrain Women who are set for an away 3-match Twenty20 International (T20I) series against the Oman Women’s Cricket team at the Al Amerat Cricket Ground.
Talking about both these teams starting off with Oman, this will be their first match since their last appearance during the Asian Cricket Council (ACC) Premier League cup in February 2024. Oman lost all their 3 games in the group stages and got knocked out of the tournament.
This was a big setback for their team, and they will now want to capitalize and make the most of it during their series run against the Bahraini Women and redeem themselves. A big positive for Oman’s team would be their current Captain Priyanka Mendonca who stood as the Player of the Tournament in the OC Women’s League conducted by the association in March.
Whereas on the other hand, Bahrain too did not have a decent run from their past and recent international run against the Qatar Women in December 2024. In a 5-match T20I series against the Qatar Women, Bahrain managed to clinch just a single victory. The best positive result for Bahraini Women is that they have recently won the Riyadh Cricket League held in February this year.
Both teams look to have an unforgettable run from their last international tours but simultaneously manage to grab and carry forward some positives for their future run. This series will help both teams to look past their previous failures and play some positive Cricket ahead.
Bahraini Women are also competing in the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup Asia Qualifiers against Nepal. A positive series run for the Bahraini Women will help them play Cricket with positive intent ahead at the Qualifiers.
Oman’s team go ahead strongly with their in-form Captain Priyanka Mendonca whereas for the Bahraini Women it is Rasangika Herath who leads the charge.
Squads:
Oman Women’s Cricket Team:
Priyanka Mendonca (C), Fiza Javed (VC), Jayadhanya Gunasekar, Hina Javed, Hira Javed, Sameera Khan, Cynthia Saldanha, Trupti Pawde, Alifiya Syed, Saahana Jeelany, Lujaina Ali, Afida Aftab, Amanda D’Costa, Areeba Mughal
Reserves: Pia Sharma, Disha Pradeep
Bahrain Women’s Cricket Team:
Rasangika Herath (C), Sweeta Corda, Tharanga Gajanayake, Rasika Rodrigo, Shruti Yadav, Pavithra Shetty, Sara Vivek, Sana Butt (WK), Ashwini Munglimane (WK), Saee Parkhi, Abeera Waris Ali, Ishara Madhuvanti, Sheetal Haate, Purvaja Jagadeesha
Schedule:
May 2: 1st T20I, 8 AM GST
May 3: 2nd T20I, 8 AM GST
May 5: 3rd T20I, 8 AM GST
*All games will be played at the Al Amerat Cricket Ground
Oman and Bahrain have met only once in the past, that was during the first match of the GCC Women’s Twenty20 Championship Cup. Oman Women defeated the Bahrain Women comfortably by 96 runs at their home venue in Al Amerat, Oman.
Priyanka Mendonca stood as the Player of the Match who led the team to a comfortable victory with scoring 29 runs off 27 deliveries and bowling figures of picking 2 wickets in her 3 overs spell by just giving 2 runs and bowling a maiden over as well.
Loves all things female cricket