FairBreak Invitational Tournament 2023: Rubina Chhetry etches her name in history after historic five-for against Sapphires

Barmy Army Women's star all-rounder Rubina Chhetry added a historic feather to her cap on Wednesday, April 12 as she became the first-ever Associate player to bag a five-wicket haul in the FairBreak Invitational Tournament.

Nepal's skipper was instrumental for her side Barmy Army Women while playing in the 14th match of the ongoing season as her five-wicket haul helped her team to bag a convincing win by a margin of 61 runs.

While playing at the Kowloon Cricket Club, Sapphires Women won the toss and chose to field first - a decision they went onto regret later. Barmy Army didn't quite get off to a good start as they lost three wickets in the initial six overs, with Nigar Sultana, Roberta Avery and Keenu Gill all back in the hutch.

It was opener Laura Wolvaardt, who hung in there and kept the scoreboard ticking. She scored 49 off just 32 balls at an impressive strike rate of 153.12, including nine fours. Shemaine Campbelle injected just the right kind of venom that Barmy Army needed as she scored a quickfire 30 off just 17 deliveries at a mindblowing strike rate of 176.47, including five fours.

FairBreak@fairbreakglobal

Erin Burns 🇦🇺☝️ Maryam Omar 🇰🇼☝️ Babette de Leede 🇳🇱☝️ Kary Chan 🇭🇰☝️ Sana Mir 🇵🇰☝️ The first 5️⃣-for at #FBI23 ✅ The first 5️⃣-for by an Associate player at #FairBreak Invitational ✅ Rubina Chhetry, remember the name🇳🇵 @TheBarmyArmy | @CricHeroes | #CricketTwitter

10:50 AM · Apr 12, 2023

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Before shining with the ball in the later half of the game, Chhetry also dazzled with the willow in hand and played an impressive innings of 32* off just 25 deliveries with the help of one four and two sixes. Barmy Army finished with 168 for the loss of eight wickets in their quota of 20 overs.

With the ball in hand, Chhetry picked up the wickets of Babette de Leede, Erin Burns, Maryam Omar, Kary Chan and Sana Mir. Her superb spell not only broke the back of Sapphires' batting order but also ended their hopes of chasing the total down. Due to Rubina's phenomenal effort, Sapphires folded for 107 in 15.5 overs.

The Lauren Winfield-Hill-led Barmy Army have already secured a place in the semi-finals and will play their fixture on Saturday, April 15.