Shafali, Wolvaard dazzle as Velocity beats Supernovas

PUNE: The swashbuckling Shafali Verma blazed away at the top before Laura Wolvaardt’s unbeaten half century helped Velocity overhaul a stiff target to get the better of Supernovas by seven wickets in the Women’s T20 Challenge here on Tuesday.

Set a target of 151 after opting to field, Velocity completed the chase with 10 balls to spare. After Shafali’s breezy knock of 51 in 33 balls, Laura Wolvaardt (51 not out off 35 balls) and Deepti Sharma (24 not out) saw their side home comfortably.

Chasing a challenging target, Velocity lost Natthakan Chantham (1) early but the big-hitting Shafali decided to go all guns blazing as the team raced to 60 for the loss of only one wicket by the time the six powerplay overs came to an end.

Shafali reached her half-century in quick time, needing only 28 runs to get to the landmark. She did so in style, pulling Deandra Dottin for a boundary over midwicket.

Though she managed to score only 17 off 13 balls, Yastika Bhatia gave Shafali company when the team needed it the most, having suffered an early blow. Shafali got out after scoring an aggressive 51 off 33 balls, the successful bowler being Dottin, but the experienced duo of Wolvaardt and Sharma ensured that Velocity reached home without much difficulty.

Earlier, skipper Harmanpreet Kaur top-scored with a blistering 51ball 71 as Supernovas posted 150 for five. Velocity opted to bowl after winning the toss and its bowlers appeared to have done a decent job before Harmanpreet’s onslaught.

India’s T20 captain Harmanpreet smashed seven fours and three sixes during her scintillating knock that left the Velocity bowers bruised and battered. Taniya Bhatia chipped in with a useful knock of 36 off 32 balls.

BRIEF SCORES: Supernovas 150/5 in 20 overs (H Kaur 71) lost to Velocity 151/3 in 18.2 overs (S Verma 51, L Wolvaardt 51*)

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