Cricket

In a thrilling Women's Premier League encounter, Gujarat Giants narrowly defeated UP Warriorz by eight runs, despite a valiant effort from all-rounder Deepti Sharma.Chasing 153 for victory, Warriorz stumbled to 35 for 5 before Deepti (88* off 60) and Poonam Khemnar (36 off 36) forged a remarkable 109-run partnership. However, with 26 runs required in the final over, the duo fell short, handing Giants a consolation win.16-year-old pacer Shabnam Shakil emerged as a star for Giants, claiming 3/11 to stifle Deepti's brilliance and extinguish Warriorz's playoff hopes.Earlier, UP Warriorz's spin trio of Sophie Ecclestone (3/38), Deepti, and Rajeswari Gayakwad (1/28) restricted Gujarat Giants to 152 for 8. Beth Mooney's unbeaten 74 provided some respite for Giants, but their Indian contingent struggled with poor shot selection and game sense.Despite the loss, Deepti's performance showcased her exceptional talent. Her unbeaten 88 included nine fours, while Khemnar's contribution kept Warriorz in the hunt. However, Shabnam's impressive bowling and Giants' fielding prowess ultimately proved decisive.The result leaves Warriorz with a negative net run-rate of -0.371, effectively ending their playoff aspirations. Giants, on the other hand, finish their dismal campaign with a win, but their overall performance has been disappointing.