WPL 2024: Asha Sobhana's Fifer Helps Royal Challengers Bangalore Edge UP Warriorz In Cliffhanger

The Women's Premier League 2024 is off to a blockbuster start. The league witnessed the second cliffhanger in as many days, with Royal Challengers Bangalore edging out UP Warriorz by two runs in a last-over thriller at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium on Saturday, February 24, 2024. A day after Sajeevan Sajana's last-ball six heroics in the Women's Premier League 2024 season-opener, it was the turn of another Kerala all-rounder to come to the party. Asha Sobhana made the most of a spin-friendly surface in Bengaluru to conjure a magnificent fifer that not only stung the UP middle-order but also stifled the scoring rate to swing the game Bangalore's way. Chasing a target of 158 runs, UP Warriorz seemed to be well on course when Asha brought the hosts right back into the contest. Aussie left-arm spinner Sophie Molineux had the ball in hand for the last over, with 11 runs to defend. And despite getting hit for a boundary, the spin bowler held her nerve and did the job with elan, giving away just eight runs to seal a dramatic win for the home team.

Photo Webdesk

Updated on: 25 February 2024 12:33 pm

WPL 2024: Royal Challengers Bangalore vs UP Warriorz | Photo: PTI/Shailendra Bhojak

Royal Challengers Bangalore's captain Smriti Mandhana being congratulated by UP Warriorz' captain Alyssa Healy after winning a ‘Women’s Premier League (WPL) 2024’ T20 cricket match between Royal Challengers Bangalore and UP Warriorz, at M Chinnaswamy Stadium, in Bengaluru.

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WPL 2024: Royal Challengers Bangalore vs UP Warriorz | Photo: PTI/Shailendra Bhojak

Royal Challengers Bangalore's captain Smriti Mandhana takes the catch of UP Warriorz' Shweta Sehrawat during a ‘Women’s Premier League (WPL) 2024’ T20 cricket match between Royal Challengers Bangalore and UP Warriorz, at M Chinnaswamy Stadium, in Bengaluru.

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WPL 2024: Royal Challengers Bangalore vs UP Warriorz | Photo: PTI/Shailendra Bhojak

Players of Royal Challengers Bangalore celebrates after winning a ‘Women’s Premier League (WPL) 2024’ T20 cricket match between Royal Challengers Bangalore and UP Warriorz, at M Chinnaswamy Stadium, in Bengaluru.

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WPL 2024: Royal Challengers Bangalore vs UP Warriorz | Photo: PTI/Shailendra Bhojak

Royal Challengers Bangalore’s Asha Shobana celebrates the wicket of UP Warriorz' Kiran Navgire during a ‘Women’s Premier League (WPL) 2024’ T20 cricket match between Royal Challengers Bangalore and UP Warriorz, at M Chinnaswamy Stadium, in Bengaluru.

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WPL 2024: Royal Challengers Bangalore vs UP Warriorz | Photo: PTI/Shailendra Bhojak

UP Warriorz' Shweta Sehrawat plays a shot during a ‘Women’s Premier League (WPL) 2024’ T20 cricket match between Royal Challengers Bangalore and UP Warriorz, at M Chinnaswamy Stadium, in Bengaluru.

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WPL 2024: Royal Challengers Bangalore vs UP Warriorz | Photo: PTI/Shailendra Bhojak

Royal Challengers Bangalore’s Sabbhineni Meghana plays a shot during a ‘Women’s Premier League (WPL) 2024’ T20 cricket match between Royal Challengers Bangalore and UP Warriorz, at M Chinnaswamy Stadium, in Bengaluru.

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WPL 2024: Royal Challengers Bangalore vs UP Warriorz | Photo: PTI/Shailendra Bhojak

Royal Challengers Bangalore’s Richa Ghosh and Sabbhineni Meghana during a ‘Women’s Premier League (WPL) 2024’ T20 cricket match between Royal Challengers Bangalore and UP Warriorz, at M Chinnaswamy Stadium, in Bengaluru.

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WPL 2024: Royal Challengers Bangalore vs UP Warriorz | Photo: PTI/Shailendra Bhojak

Royal Challengers Bangalore’s Ellyse Perry plays a shot during a ‘Women’s Premier League (WPL) 2024’ T20 cricket match between Royal Challengers Bangalore and UP Warriorz, at M Chinnaswamy Stadium, in Bengaluru.

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WPL 2024: Royal Challengers Bangalore vs UP Warriorz | Photo: PTI/Shailendra Bhojak

Royal Challengers Bangalore’s captain Smriti Mandhana plays a shot during a ‘Women’s Premier League (WPL) 2024’ T20 cricket match between Royal Challengers Bangalore and UP Warriorz, at M Chinnaswamy Stadium, in Bengaluru.

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WPL 2024: Royal Challengers Bangalore vs UP Warriorz | Photo: Shailendra Bhojak

Royal Challengers Bangalore’s Sophie Devine reacts as she walks towards the pavilion after being dismissed by UP Warriorz' Grace Harris during a ‘Women’s Premier League (WPL) 2024’ T20 cricket match between Royal Challengers Bangalore and UP Warriorz, at M Chinnaswamy Stadium, in Bengaluru.