The match between North Delhi Strikers and Central Delhi Queens turned out to be a thrilling and closely fought encounter in the Women’s Delhi Premier League (WDPL) 2025. The Strikers, winning the toss, opted to bat first but were restricted to a modest total of 117 for 4 in their 20 overs. Despite a shaky start, the Strikers managed to stabilize their innings thanks to some patient batting in the middle and lower order.
The opening overs were costly for the Strikers as they suffered an early top-order collapse, losing two wickets while scoring just 14 runs. This put early pressure on the team, and although Ayushi Soni scored a brisk 27 and Nazma Khan played a steady 40*, the run rate slowed considerably, resulting in a below par total of 117/4.
The chase by the Central Delhi Queens was a thriller that went down the wire, till the final over. They struggled initially with their top order undone early, slumping to 43 for 4. However, their middle and lower order showed remarkable grit under pressure, with significant contributions from Monika (36 runs off 39 balls) and opener Deeksha Sharma (25 off 21) keeping the team in contention.
The defining moment came in the final over where the Queens needed 14 runs with just two wickets remaining. The tension peaked as the Strikers had several opportunities to clinch victory but couldn’t capitalize fully. A crucial wide ball and a dropped catch in the final moments gave the Queens the lifeline they needed.
The match was sealed dramatically with Priya Mishra, coming in last, hitting a ball that was mishandled by the fielding side, allowing it to race to the boundary. This boundary brought victory to Central Delhi Queens by just one wicket with one ball to spare, inching closer to a place in the final of the WDPL 2025.
For the Strikers, Nazma Khan was a standout performer with both bat and ball. She not only scored a significant 40 runs but also took 3 wickets for 24 runs in her 3.5 overs, keeping her team competitive with disciplined bowling. The team, however, could not hold on to their advantage in the nail-biting finish.
With this win, Central Delhi Queens demonstrated strong character and composure under pressure, showing why they are serious contenders in the tournament. Their ability to fight back from difficult situations in the chase will certainly boost their confidence heading into the final. In contrast, the North Delhi Strikers, who were yet to win this season, fought valiantly the entire time.
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