Women’s T20 Challenge final: Advantage Supernovas

But don’t write off Trailblazers

Supernovas captain Harmanpreet Kaur and Trailblazers skipper Smriti Mandhana.

Supernovas and Trailblazers come face to face for the second time in three days, but the stake is higher this time around as the women’s T20 Challenge trophy is up for grabs.

If their last meeting is anything to go by, there is certainly much to look forward to in the final at the Sharjah Cricket Stadium on Monday. Supernovas, champion in both editions, had won a thriller on Saturday by two runs, with left-arm spinner Radha Yadav bowling a superb last over.

It was a must-win match for Harmanpreet Kaur’s team and having won the nail-biting contest, they have the momentum.

But they will have to bring out their best against a balanced Trailblazers, led by Smriti Mandhana. Sri Lankan star Chamari Atapattu (43 and 67) and Harmanpreet (31 and 31) have looked the only batters in form for Supernovas.

Variety in attack

Supernovas has variety in attack, with seamers Shakera Salman and Ayabonga Khaka and spinners Radha, Poonam Yadav and Anuja Patil in its ranks.

In the final, Supernovas would be keen to send back Smriti and her hard-hitting opening partner Deandra Dottin early.

Trailblazers all-rounders Deepti Sharma and Harleen Deol — their fifth-wicket association had nearly pulled it during the chase — lend depth to the side’s middle-order.

World's No. 1 T20 bowler Sophie Ecclestone, fellow left-arm spinner Rajeshwari Gayakwad and experienced seamer Jhulan Goswami form a strong attack, which had dismissed Velocity for 47.