DAV Centenary Public School, Baniahir, emerged champions by defeating host DPS-Dhanbad by 20 runs in the finals of inter-school girls' cricket tourney at CIMFR grounds in the coal capital on Tuesday.

Winning the toss, DAV Centenary Public School, Baniahir, chose to bat and scored 73 runs in 14.1 overs by losing 10 wickets.

Lakshmi Kumari of DAV Centenary Public scored the highest of 18 runs while Tanisha Kumari notched 8 runs. Nishtha Kumari, who has one arm but has not let it come in the way of her love for cricket, and Ayesha Ali of DPS took three wickets each.

Chasing the victory target, the DPS team managed to score only a paltry 53 runs within the allotted 15 overs by losing six wickets.

DPS girl Ayesha Ali scored 12 runs, the highest for her team, while Writika Kumari notched 8 runs. Tanisha Kumari of DAV Centenary Public took two wickets while Lakshmi Saroj managed one.

Lakshmi Saroj was adjudged the Woman of the Match for her overall performance as she had scored eight runs and taken a wicket.

The Woman of Series for batting went to Chandani Kumari of DAV Centenary Public School, Baniahir. The Woman of Series for bowling went to DPS wonder girl Nishtha.

Dhanbad MLA Raj Sinha, who graced the occasion as the chief guest, gave away the awards in the presence of secretary of Dhanbad Cricket Association Vina Singh and president of Bank More Chamber of Commerce Surendra Arora.

"Such sporting events for girls should be held on a regular basis. Cricket shouldn't be restricted to boys. Girls must get a platform," said the MLA.

Six schools of the coal town, including DAV Centenary Public School, Baniahir; DAV Model Public School, CFRI; DAV Public School, Koylanagar; Deo Public School, Bastacola; Yasomati Sri Vidya Niketan Jharia and host DPS had taken part in the girls' cricket championship that kicked off last Saturday.