Pretoria (South Africa): Malayalam star CMC Najla’s bowling gifted India a four-wicket victory in their Twenty20 cricket match against South Africa’s under-19 team. Najla, originally from Malappuram district, took three crucial wickets in the game. Only four runs were conceded from three overs. India leads the series by five games (2-0). Score: South Africa-86/9 in 20 overs. India-87/6 in 15 overs.
From the start of the match, South Africa floundered in front of the Indian bowlers. Ayanda Hlubi was the first to be expelled from Najla. Captured by Shafali Verma. Richaghosh next blocked Simone Lawrence on Najla’s ball and dismissed him. Gemma Botha bowled and took the third wicket.
For India, two Falak Naas, Yashwasree Mannath Kashyap, Sonia Mendia and Shafali Verma each took a wicket. In response, Shafali Verma (29), Richaghosh (15) and Soumya Tiwari (14) shone for India. The fourth game of the Twenty20 will be played at 1.30pm on Tuesday. The second match was abandoned due to rain.
Najla is originally from Pachatiri Murivahikal in Malappuram Tirur.
Sultanbathery is a graduate student of St. Mary’s College. The training was conducted at the Kerala Cricket Association Academy. He has captained Kerala twice in the under 16 category. Chatheri is the daughter of Naushad-Mumtaz.