This October will see the continuation of the 2023 National Youth Championship as the leading female players of the country will play a T20 Competition at Ekuveni Cricket Ground Malé.
Following on from the successful Men’s U23 Competition held earlier this year, the Cricket Board of Maldives has created teams from around the nation.
Teams are representing Malé City, 1 time winners Fuvahmulah City and 2 time winners from L. Kunahandhoo.
Tournament Photographs
Results & Stats👉 https://bit.ly/46KDocs
Women’s cricket, like women’s sports in general, is important for nations like Maldives for several reasons;
Gender Equality
Promoting women’s cricket helps advance gender equality and empower women and girls in society. It provides them with opportunities to participate in sports and showcases their talents, breaking down traditional gender stereotypes.
National Pride
Participation in international women’s cricket competitions allows small nations to showcase their talents on the global stage, fostering a sense of national pride and unity.
Health and Fitness
Encouraging women and girls to participate in cricket promotes a healthier lifestyle and physical fitness. It also contributes to reducing the risk of various health issues.
Development of Talent
Identifying and nurturing young talent in women’s cricket can lead to the development of a pool of skilled athletes who can represent the nation in international competitions. This can also lead to the discovery of role models who inspire the next generation.
Economic Opportunities
Women’s cricket can open up economic opportunities through tourism, sponsorship deals, and the creation of sports-related jobs. Hosting international cricket events can boost our local economy and tourism industry.
International Relations
Participation in international women’s cricket allows small nations to engage with other countries on a diplomatic and cultural level. It can lead to positive international relations and collaborations.
Social Impact
Women’s cricket can promote social inclusion and diversity. It encourages people from different backgrounds to come together and support their local cricket team, fostering social cohesion and harmony.
Educational Benefits
Participation in cricket can encourage girls to stay in school and excel academically. Many cricket organisations also offer educational programs alongside sports training. The Cricket Board of Maldives has provided training and employment opportunities for many of the female cricketers across the country.
Long-Term Goals
Small nations can use women’s cricket as a pathway to achieve long-term sporting goals, such as qualifying for major international tournaments like the Women’s T20 World Cup – as Thailand have shown in recent years.
Day 1 – Match 1
Kunahandhoo 239/0 v Malé 40
A blistering century by Sumayya Hameedh scoring 136 (retired) from just 62 balls including 21 boundaries and 6 maximums set the tournament off on a fast paced selection of shots all around Ekuveni Cricket Ground. The first century scored by a Maldivian woman in cricket.
Fathimath Shaja scored a fine half-century and between these 2 batters, Kunahandhoo posted 203. Hafsaa Abdulla and Nabaa Binth added a further 36 to make it 239 for Kunahandhoo Women’s Team.
In reply, the Malé City Women’s Team, recently assembled from a development programme started in Rehendhi School, faced a tough learning curve as they fell on the sword presented by fast bowler Nabaa Binth Naseem.
Nabaa blasted through the top order taking 5 wickets for the loss of just 5 runs! Malé Women’s Team were all-out for 40 runs as Kunahandhoo Women’s Team won by 199 runs.
Day 1 – Match 2
Kunahandhoo 178/1 v Malé 37
In the second match between these two teams of the day, Kunahandhoo won the toss and elected to bat first again. This time, switching the batting order around. Fathimath Shaja bagged her second Fifty of the day scoring 77 from 41 balls.
In total, 7 batters were used as they reached 178 for the loss of 1 wicket taken by a very jubilant Mariyam Maaniyaa of Malé City Women’s Team.
In reply, it was Nabaa again that terrorised the batters, this time taking 6 wickets for 7 runs – ending the day on 11 wickets for just 12 runs – an incredible achievement at any level and against any level of opposition.
Mariyam Leen Luthufee, the lone survivor from the Malé Women’s Development squad of past years performed diligently during the 2 matches scoring a combined 29 runs.
Kunahandhoo Women’s Team won by 141 runs.
Day 2 – Match 1
Kunahandhoo 138/3 v Fuvahmulah 78
It was the mother and daughter act of Hafsa and Sumayya that put on a class act of patience and shot selection in the first of potentially 4 encounters between these two squads.
Kunahandhoo controlled the tempo of the match from the first over with bad balls being punished and the strike rotated picking out the sluggish Fuvahmulah fielders. Fuvahmulah bowlers showed some pace and took good wickets – all 3 clean bowled – if the batsmen miss, the bowler should hit!
Hafsa scored 39 from 48 and Sumayya scored an eye pleasing 48 from 35 balls – both batsmen not afraid to commit to shots and take on the bowlers.
In reply, chasing 138, Fuvahmulah Women looked sheepishly at the bowlers and no batter scored double figures except for Miss Extras and her 33 wides and no-balls.
Fuvahmulah will need to take this match in their stride and have a look at ways to improve all round if they are to compete with this positivity of play from Kunahandhoo.
Kunahandhoo Women’s Team won by 60 runs.
Day 2 – Match 2
Fuvahmulah v Malé City
Winning the toss, Malé City Women chose to bat first and scored an improved 50 in their third match of the tournament.
Jatla Subbulaksmi scored 8 from 13 balls including 1 boundary. Fuvahmulah bowlers, although expensive in extras, took 9 wickets with 5 clean bowled.
In reply, Nadhiya Yoosuf top scored with 22 not-out and Mariyam Zoona scored 12 not-out to reach the target in the 8th over.
Jatla was again involved for Malé City Women by taking the lone wicket of the innings.
Fuvahmulah Women won by 9 wickets
Day 3 – Match 1
Fuvahmulah 71/3 v Kunahandhoo 70
Scorecard
Kunahandhoo won the toss and chose to bat first looking to make it 4 wins from 4. However, the Fuvahmulah pair of opening bowlers took all 10 wickets by the 13th Over, reducing Kunahandhoo to 70 All-Out.
Nabaa again showing her all round skills scored 25* from 23 balls.
Aishath Meesa took 7 wickets from her 4 Overs and will be on a Hat-trick with the first ball she bowls next. Fathimath Anaal took the other 3 wickets to round off a competent and much improved overall bowling performance from yesterday.
In reply, Kunahandhoo grabbed a couple of early wickets but the patience of Mariyam Zoona with 23 not-out led her team to victory in the 14th Over.
Fuvahmulah Women won by 7 wickets
Day 3 – Match 2
Malé 66/9 v Kunahandhoo 205/2
Scorecard
Malé won the toss and chose to bowl first and the Kunahandhoo batsmen showed their array of shots scoring a mammoth 205 for the loss of just 2 wickets.
Fathimath Shaja retired on 81 from 53 balls, Sumayya bounced back from an unusual low score this morning by carving out a quick 50 from 20 balls.
Mariyam Neely and Jatla Subbulaksmi took a wicket each and along with all the players have worked really hard in the field over the last 3 days.
In reply, Kunahandhoo relied on the magic pace of Nabaa to do most of the damage and she collected another 4 wickets. Fathimath Malha took 3 wickets for 8 runs and Hawwa Shaiqa bagged a brace for 19 runs.
Mariyam Leen Luthufee top scored for Malé Women with 13 runs and the team survived the 20 Overs on offer to them.
Kunahandhoo Women won by 139 runs
Day 4 – Match 1
Malé 28 v Fuvahmulah 130/1
Scorecard
Day 4 began with a steady 20 overs of batting by the Fuvahmulah top order. Aishath Aana scored 21 before being bowled by Mariyam Leem. Nadhiya Yoosuf and Mariyam Zoona remained not-out on 39 and 37 runs each.
In reply, the Malé batters were subjected to barrage of bowlers and they performed well to keep going until the 16th Over. Top scorer Aminath Manha and Shrija Singh tied up their ends.
Fathimath Maaha picked up 3 wickets for 3 runs, Aishath Meesa bagged another 3 wickets and Fathimath Anaal bagged 4 wickets for 10 runs.
Fuvahmulah Women won by 102 runs
Day 4 – Match 2
Kunahandhoo 75 v Fuvahmulah 53/4
(Fuvahmulah Women won on D/L rule)
Scorecard
The precursor to the Grand Final was played in the second match today. Fuvahmulah won the toss and chose to bowl first. Kunahandhoo started briskly scoring 22 runs from 16 balls but then wickets fell at regular intervals throughout the 20 Overs.
Nabaa Binth Naseem who has been as the front of all Kunahandhoo cricket this year top scored with 14 from 26 balls.
Aishath Meesa bagged another Fifer with figures of 5 for 16 runs from her 4 Overs. Captain Aima picked up 2 for 8 runs.
In reply, Fuvahmulah Women looked to be in control of a careful run-chase until the skies opened and no more play was possible due to rain.
Perhaps they would have had a chance to win before the weather intervened if it wasn’t for an unexpected delay in the 1st innings.
Aishath Aimaa finished not-out on 23 from 25 balls.
Fuvahmulah Women won by 15 runs (Duckworth Lewis)
Pics👉 https://bit.ly/3FfP8YI
Results & Stats👉 https://bit.ly/46KDocs
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