<p>Trailblazers' skipper Smriti Mandhana says she always believed in her team's potent spin attack to defend a low total in the Women's T20 Challenge final, which her side won by 16 runs against Supernovas here.</p>.<p>Despite a fiery start, Trailblazers could post only a modest 118 for eight on Monday but Mandhana said she knew the slow nature of the surface would help her side.</p>.<p>"It was an amazing performance. We tried to get to 130-140 but somewhere we lost track. The wicket was tough to bat so I knew any total around 120 would be a fighting total. We have good spin attack and I was really positive from the first ball," said a beaming Mandhana at the post-match press conference.</p>.<p>Off-spinner Salma Khatun took three wickets in the penultimate over, dismissing rival skipper Harmanpreet Kaur in the process and Mandhana acknowledged her effort.</p>.<p>"She was brilliant. Those spells win you matches. She is an experienced campaigner. I just told her to believe in herself and she delivered. Her spell was the winning spell," she said.</p>.<p>Thai cricketer Natthakan Chantham impressed one and all with her agility on the field and it wasn't a surprise that Mandhana picked her for special praise.</p>.<p><strong>Read: <a href="https://www.deccanherald.com/sports/cricket/trailblazers-topple-supernovas-for-maiden-womens-t20-challenge-title-913557.html" target="_blank">Trailblazers topple Supernovas for maiden Women's T20 Challenge title</a></strong></p>.<p>Chantham was a live-wire on the field. The boundary she saved with her acrobatic effort was a good advertisement for women's cricket. She also took a stunning catch in the cover region.</p>.<p>"There were 2-3 brilliant fielding efforts, especially Chantham. I have not seen a girl field like that."</p>.<p>Mandhana herself was played a key role in her side's total as she stroked her way to a brilliant 68.</p>.<p>Talking about her own innings, the captain said she was in a good rhythm and all she needed was to find the gaps.</p>.<p>"I was timing the ball well (even) in the last match but unfortunately I was finding the fielders but today it was a conscious effort to hit the ball in the gaps. That was the only thing I was thinking."</p>.<p>Playing cricket after a long seven-month gap obviously made the players happy, she said.</p>.<p>"We were looking to play and meet everyone. We did not meet for 7 months, that is very rare. Last six months were tough for the whole world. It was worth it to come and play. I thank BCCI for organising this. Hopefully, we (will) keep playing, it keeps us happy," she said.</p>.<p>Supernovas' senior player Shashikala Siriwardene also thanked the BCCI for conducting the event in challenging times and said the tournament was a great platform for the youngsters.</p>.<p>"We can play and watch in bio bubble, they have planned it, so I thank BCCI. We have to do some sacrifice due to Covid-19. Girls will be motivated to come to sport and it impacts women's cricket."</p>
<p>Trailblazers' skipper Smriti Mandhana says she always believed in her team's potent spin attack to defend a low total in the Women's T20 Challenge final, which her side won by 16 runs against Supernovas here.</p>.<p>Despite a fiery start, Trailblazers could post only a modest 118 for eight on Monday but Mandhana said she knew the slow nature of the surface would help her side.</p>.<p>"It was an amazing performance. We tried to get to 130-140 but somewhere we lost track. The wicket was tough to bat so I knew any total around 120 would be a fighting total. We have good spin attack and I was really positive from the first ball," said a beaming Mandhana at the post-match press conference.</p>.<p>Off-spinner Salma Khatun took three wickets in the penultimate over, dismissing rival skipper Harmanpreet Kaur in the process and Mandhana acknowledged her effort.</p>.<p>"She was brilliant. Those spells win you matches. She is an experienced campaigner. I just told her to believe in herself and she delivered. Her spell was the winning spell," she said.</p>.<p>Thai cricketer Natthakan Chantham impressed one and all with her agility on the field and it wasn't a surprise that Mandhana picked her for special praise.</p>.<p><strong>Read: <a href="https://www.deccanherald.com/sports/cricket/trailblazers-topple-supernovas-for-maiden-womens-t20-challenge-title-913557.html" target="_blank">Trailblazers topple Supernovas for maiden Women's T20 Challenge title</a></strong></p>.<p>Chantham was a live-wire on the field. The boundary she saved with her acrobatic effort was a good advertisement for women's cricket. She also took a stunning catch in the cover region.</p>.<p>"There were 2-3 brilliant fielding efforts, especially Chantham. I have not seen a girl field like that."</p>.<p>Mandhana herself was played a key role in her side's total as she stroked her way to a brilliant 68.</p>.<p>Talking about her own innings, the captain said she was in a good rhythm and all she needed was to find the gaps.</p>.<p>"I was timing the ball well (even) in the last match but unfortunately I was finding the fielders but today it was a conscious effort to hit the ball in the gaps. That was the only thing I was thinking."</p>.<p>Playing cricket after a long seven-month gap obviously made the players happy, she said.</p>.<p>"We were looking to play and meet everyone. We did not meet for 7 months, that is very rare. Last six months were tough for the whole world. It was worth it to come and play. I thank BCCI for organising this. Hopefully, we (will) keep playing, it keeps us happy," she said.</p>.<p>Supernovas' senior player Shashikala Siriwardene also thanked the BCCI for conducting the event in challenging times and said the tournament was a great platform for the youngsters.</p>.<p>"We can play and watch in bio bubble, they have planned it, so I thank BCCI. We have to do some sacrifice due to Covid-19. Girls will be motivated to come to sport and it impacts women's cricket."</p>