The Indian women’s team lost their first match to Bangladesh in Women’s T20 Asia Cup tournament by 7 wickets at Kinara Academy Oval, Kuala Lumpur just finished a few moments ago. Despite good efforts by Harmanpreet Kaur, Deepti Sharma, the Indian women’s could not score a big total. Chasing this target, it was a great batting effort by Bangladesh batters and stunned the favourites Indian team.
Indian captain Harmanpreet Kaur won the toss and elected to bat first. It was not a great start for the runners of World Cup 2017 losing early wickets of Smriti Mandhana and Mithali Raj. Pooja Vastrakar and captain Harmanpreet Kaur steadied the innings. At the end of 6 overs, India scored 48 for 2.
After the power play overs, Vastrakar and Harmanpreet Kaur continued their brilliant batting. Both of them added 46 runs for the 3rd wicket. Vastrakar was dismissed for 20. Harmanpreet Kaur and Deepti Sharma created another useful partnership of 50 runs for the 4th wicket. After Kaur’s dismissal, the Indian women’s team could not score many runs as wickets fell at regular intervals in the death overs. Indian eves posted 141 for 7 in 20 overs. For Bangladesh women, Rumana Ahmed was the pick of bowlers with 3 wickets.
Chasing 142 to win, Bangladesh openers Ayasha Rahman and Shamina Sultana got the team off to a good start adding 29 runs for the first wicket before Gayakwad dismissed Ayasha for 12 runs. Sultana played with positive intent and scored 33 off 23 balls. At the end of 6 overs, Bangladesh women scored 45 for 2.
After the power play overs, Poonam Yadav dismissed Nigar Sultana for 1. Fargana Hoque and Rumana Ahmed steadied the ship with a brilliant partnership. Both of them took singles, hit boundaries at will. Fargana Hoque reached her half-century off 44 balls. Hoque and Rumana Ahmed put on unbeaten 93 runs for the 4th wicket and took Bangladesh women’s team to victory by 7 wickets with 2 balls to spare.
For India, Gayakwad, Poonam Yadav and Vastrakar picked up 1 wicket each.
Bangladesh Women 142 for 3 in 19.4 overs ( Fargana Hoque 52*, Rumana Ahmed 42*, Poonam Yadav 1/21) beat
Indian Women 141 for 7 in 20 overs ( Harmanpreet Kaur 42, Deepti Sharma 32, Rumana Ahmed 3/21) by 7 wickets.
This was India’s first loss in Asia Cup history after 33 matches. India women’s team will play their next match against Sri Lankan women tomorrow.
