‘Goat franchise for a reason’- Fans elated as Mumbai beat UP by 72 runs to clinch WTL Final berth

Mumbai advanced to the final of the inaugural edition of the Women’s T20 league after registering an emphatic 72-run victory over UP in the eliminator on Friday, March 24. A blistering half-century knock from Nat Sciver-Brunt and Issy Wong’s brilliant four-wicket haul saw Mumbai demolish UP at the DY Patil Stadium. The Women in Blue will now face Delhi, who have already booked their final berth, in the last encounter on Sunday.

Mumbai have gone with the same team, while UP have made a couple of changes including the return of Australian all-rounder Grace Harris. After winning the toss, Alyssa Healy opted for the chase and got off to a decent start with the ball, restricting the Mumbai batters to 69-2 in 9.1 overs. But English cricketer Sciver-Brunt scored a quickfire 72 runs off 38 balls to turn the tables and give Mumbai a formidable total in a knockout match. Some fine contributions from Melie Kerr and Pooja Vastrakar towards end of the innings took Harmanpreet Kaur’s side to 182-4.

Sciver-Brunt was dropped when she was on 6 by Sophie Ecclestone. The all-rounder made the opposition pay a heavy price, smashing the UP bowlers around the park. Chasing a big total, the UP batters failed to get off to a good start. English cricketer Wong took WTL’s first hat-trick to make the game one-sided. The right-arm fast-medium bowler crushed the UP batters by picking up four wickets in a crucial encounter.

Speaking after the match, Mumbai skipper Harmanpreet said: “We have a decent bowling wicket, we know anyone can come and take wickets. Wongy is always excited to bowl, today she was always there and very happy. She is someone who can take us through any game [on Nat Sciver-Brunt]. We have young girls doing well on the field, we have always spoken about getting some run-outs and that was a crucial point in the game. They have a very positive energy and are happy to have them. They are a very good side and we just want to enjoy the final.”

Here’s how Twitter reacted to Mumbai win: 

Goat Franchise for a reason 🐐

— Harshal (@Harshal54p) March 24, 2023

England day at wpl today .
Superb by mumbai indians today 👏#WPL2023 #CricketTwitter pic.twitter.com/lgPTYqRfzs

— Ranjay choubey (@ranjaychoubey) March 24, 2023

Mumbai Indians are into the finals of WPL. pic.twitter.com/DbpMhRE52o

— Suraj (@_suraj28) March 24, 2023

MI owning Yellow jerseys, we have seen that several times 😉 pic.twitter.com/ak9OrcOLLs

— NIKHIL 🇮🇳 (@nikhil_III) March 24, 2023

Deepti Sharma Today pic.twitter.com/vpsmhTIJEQ

— N🇺🇾(⭐⭐⭐⭐) (@icrynowww) March 24, 2023

How're the josh Mumbai Indians FC? pic.twitter.com/E9r7yU9haN

— R A T N I S H (@LoyalSachinFan) March 24, 2023

Delhi shivering

— Ň€ŇØҜҜΔĐIŇ€ (@MBnRohit3) March 24, 2023