Finland Women produced a disciplined all-round performance to begin the Finland Women tour of Estonia with a convincing eight-wicket victory over Estonia Women at the Estonian National Cricket and Rugby Field. Chasing a modest target of 78, Finland reached 78/2 in just 11.3 overs, finishing the contest with 51 balls to spare. Earlier, their bowlers combined brilliantly to restrict Estonia Women to 77 in 19.3 overs, with captain Traijila Mulepati leading the way with a superb four-wicket haul that ultimately earned her the Player of the Match award. The result also gave Finland Women a 1-0 lead in the two-match T20I series.
After winning the toss and electing to bat, Estonia Women endured a difficult start as Helena Kerge was dismissed for a duck by Mari Kojo in the fourth ball of the innings, leaving the hosts at 1/1. Captain Annemari Vessik then attempted to rebuild alongside Eeglin Ellermaa, but the pair could add only four runs before Kojo struck again to remove Ellermaa for 1, making it 15/2. Estonia continued to struggle for momentum as Chamali Lokuge managed just 4 before becoming Traijila Mulepati’s first wicket, reducing the innings to 35/3. Vessik fought hard for her 9 off 19 balls, but she was run out after adding valuable runs during a recovery phase, with the score moving to 40/4.
The middle order failed to capitalise despite brief resistance. Geethma Madanayake scored 2 before becoming another victim of Mulepati at 46/5. Maret Valner contributed only 1 as Finland tightened the screws, with Mulepati claiming yet another wicket to leave Estonia at 52/6. Ragne Hallik offered the best resistance with 11 from 24 deliveries, trying to hold one end together while wickets continued to tumble around her. Aryaa Kulkarni departed without scoring, giving Mulepati her fourth wicket at 54/7, before Sirli Pattenden added 2 and was dismissed at 69/8. Kadri Just was caught for a duck off Malyun Hassan, while Laura-Anette Taei remained unbeaten on 2 as Estonia were bowled out for 77 in 19.3 overs. A remarkable 45 extras, including 42 wides, significantly boosted Estonia’s final total and proved to be their highest contributor.
Finland’s bowling attack shared the responsibility effectively throughout the innings. Traijila Mulepati delivered the standout spell with 4/9 from four overs, consistently breaking partnerships and never allowing Estonia to settle. Mari Kojo provided the early breakthroughs with 2/15, while Malyun Hassan wrapped up the innings with 1/5 in 1.3 overs. Leah Martin chipped in with 1/22, and although Elina Rama, Mira Kaitaranta, and Rhea Khullar went wicketless, they maintained pressure through disciplined spells. A sharp run-out of Annemari Vessik also highlighted Finland’s alert fielding performance.
Needing only 78, Finland Women started positively before losing Stella Sheridan for 9 at 13/1, with Laura-Anette Taei taking the catch off Maret Valner. Elina Rama then steadied the chase alongside captain Traijila Mulepati, and the duo added 48 runs for the second wicket, effectively putting Finland in complete control. Rama played the defining innings of the chase, striking 29 from 29 balls, including three boundaries, before she was bowled by Aryaa Kulkarni at 61/2. Despite the wicket, Estonia could not mount a comeback.
With the target well within reach, Haiyen Nguyen joined captain Traijila Mulepati to complete the chase with an unbeaten 17-run partnership. Nguyen played a lively cameo of 11 not out from just seven balls, smashing two boundaries at a strike rate of 157.14, while Mulepati remained unbeaten on 10 from 31 deliveries to guide Finland safely home. Finland eventually finished on 78/2 in 11.3 overs, sealing an emphatic eight-wicket victory.
Estonia’s bowling attack struggled to defend the low total. Maret Valner was the most successful bowler with 1/19 from three overs, while Aryaa Kulkarni also claimed 1/10 in 2.3 overs. Annemari Vessik, Ragne Hallik, Sirli Pattenden, and Geethma Madanayake were unable to add wickets despite their efforts. In the end, Finland Women’s composed batting display, backed by Traijila Mulepati’s outstanding spell and Elina Rama’s top score, ensured a dominant victory.
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