Canada shock USA; Brazil beat Argentina in rain-interrupted clash

Hala Azmat’s four-wicket haul stunned the United States of America as Canada registered their first-ever win over the neighbors at the Reforma Athletic Club in Naucalpan on Sunday (October 24), while Brazil beat Argentina by 14 runs in a rain-interrupted clash.



In the first match of the day, USA won the toss and invited Canada to bat first. It didn’t turn out well for them as Canada's opening pair of Miryam Khokhar (27) and Divya Saxena (40) put together a partnership of 65 runs. Akshata Rao broke the opening stand when she dismissed Khokhar in the 15th over before sending Saxena back to the pavilion in her next over. USA did manage to take some late wickets and prevent Canada from scoring quick runs at the back end of the innings. However, they still managed a challenging score of 85 for four in their 20 overs.



In their chase, USA lost Gargi Bhogle (3) early. The task got harder when Azmat dismissed Shebani Bhaskar (14) and Anika Kolan (0) in the space of three balls. Isani Vaghela (20) tried to hold one end up, but didn’t get much help from the other batters. Hiba Shamsad’s tight bowling spell, including a maiden in the 17th over, put pressure on USA's young lower middle order. Unfortunately, they didn't have enough fire-power in their ranks and huffed and puffed their way to 78 for 7 in 20 overs, going down by seven runs. Teenager Geetika Kodali played a valiant hand of 12 not out off just seven balls.



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In the second match of the day, batting first, Brazil got off to a slow start in the power play losing Laura Agatha for eight. Allrounder Renata Sousa (14), captain Roberta Moretti Avery (10), and Nicole Monteiro (10) then steadied the ship for Brazil as they managed a score of 79 for 7 in their 20 overs. For Argentina, Constanza Sosa was the most successful bowler with two wickets.



Chasing 78 for their first victory of the tournament, Argentina slipped early as Lucia Taylor was run out for a duck. Lara Moises' spell of 2 for 12 meant they fell further, stumbling to 42 for three in 15 overs when rain interrupted proceedings. Unfortunately for Veronica Vasquez and co. the weather refused to clear up. No further play meant Brazil were declared winners by the Duckworth-Lewis-Stern method - taking the game by 14 runs.



Brief Scores:



Canada 85/4 in 20 overs (Divya Saxena 40, Miryam Khokhar 27; Akshata Rao 2-22) beat United States of America 78/7 in 20 overs (Ishani Vaghela 20, Shebani Bhaskar 14; Hala Azmat 4-15) by seven runs. PoM: Hala Azmat.



Brazil 79/7 in 20 overs (Renata Sousa 14, Roberta Avery 10, Nicole Monteiro 10; Constanza Sosa 2/13) beat Argentina 42/3 in 20 overs (Veronica Vasquez 16*) by 14 runs (DLS method). PoM: Lara Moises.