The Indian Women’s Team held onto their nerves to defend a low score against Bangladesh in the 2nd T20I match at Sher E Bangla Stadium, Mirpur on 11 July 2023. Indian captain Harmanpreet Kaur won the toss and decided to bat first. Shafali Verma and Smriti Mandhana looked in an attacking mood before Nahida Akter got rid of Mandhana with a beauty delivery.
Mandhana and Verma added 33 runs for the opening wicket. Sultana Khatun got two big wickets in her first over dismissing Verma and Indian captain Harmanpreet Kaur without opening her account to leave the Indian team in trouble. At the end of the first six overs, the Indian women made 37 for 3.
The pitch created lots of trouble for the batters as they were not able to hit big shots. Fahima and Sultana Khatun kept picking wickets at regular intervals. Amanjot Kaur, Pooja Vastkar, and Minnu Mani scored vital runs, in the end, to help the Indian women post 95 for 8 in 20 overs. For Bangladesh women, Sultana Khatun took 3 for 21, Fahima Khatun 2 for 16, Rabeya Khan 1 for 16, and Nahida Akter 1 for 14. Marufa Akter was on the expensive side giving away 28 runs and picking up only 1 wicket.
Chasing 96 runs to win, it was not an ideal start for Bangladesh women as they lost two early wickets of Shamima Sultana and Shathi Rani to spinners. It was a disciplined bowling effort by the Indian bowlers keeping the pressure on Bangladesh batters. At the end of the first six overs, Bangladesh women scored 21 for 2.
Anusha struck soon after the field restriction dismissing Murshida Khatun coming as a concussion replacement. Mani dismissed Ritu Moni cheaply, leaving Bangladesh in trouble at 30 for 4. Shorna Akter and Nigar Sultana steadied the ship taking singles and hitting occasional boundaries. Deepti Sharma took a lovely return catch to dismiss Shorna. Shorna and Nigar added 34 runs for the 5th wicket.
Deepti Sharma struck to dismiss Bangladesh captain Nigar Sultana shifting the match in favour of India. Shafali Verma was handed the responsibility with the final over striking four times including wickets and 1 run out. Indian women’s team won by 8 runs to skittling out Bangladesh women for 87.
Deepti Sharma and Shafali Verma grabbed 3 wickets each for India, Minnu Mani picked 2 wickets, and Bareddy Anusha took 1 wicket. Both teams created enough pressure with their spinners as pace bowlers had fewer jobs.
With figures of 3 for 12 in 4 overs, Deepti Sharma was named the Player of the Match award. Indian Women clinched the T20I series with one game to spare.
Brief Score:
India Women: 95/8 in 20 overs (Shafali Verma 19, Sultana Khatun 3/21, Fahima Khatun 2/16) beat Bangladesh Women: 87/10 in 20 overs ( Nigar Sultana 38, Deepti Sharma 3/12, Shafali Verma 3/15) by 8 runs.
Here is how Twitterati reacted:
W+1, W, 0, W, 0, W by Shafali Verma in the final over while defending just 10 runs.
India defended 95 runs in the 2nd T20I & won the series. pic.twitter.com/zI9aeJaaEy
— Johns. (@CricCrazyJohns) July 11, 2023
Highest Run Scorrer & joint Highest wkt taker in today match for India.@TheShafaliVerma 💯🔥#BANvIND pic.twitter.com/YtBvOYgZXS
— ᴛʜᴇ ʜᴀʀᴍᴀɴ ᴇʀᴀ⁷ (@Here4Harman) July 11, 2023
Fantastic spell by @TheShafaliVerma 🤯
1W W 0 W 0 W
IND WON BY 8 RUNS 🇮🇳🏆#BANvIND— Navaneeth Nani (@Navaneeth_Nani_) July 11, 2023
3 wickets for 12 runs. 🔥🔥
Deepti Sharma was on fire in this match against Bangladesh and still people abuse her for no reason. #BANvIND— Ashvin/अश्विन (@ashvinmalviya10) July 11, 2023
One of the most lopsided contests. India have got away with one here. Great character in dragging the game and making a fist of it but it wasn't a great performance if the catching, batting and extras are anything to go by. Even on this shocker of a pitch #BANvIND
— Soorya Sesha (@sooryasesha7) July 11, 2023
India defeated Bangladesh in the T20 series, clinching a resounding 2-0 victory.#BANvIND #ICC #bcciwomen
— Sayantan Pandit (@codziac) July 11, 2023
What a game 🤯🔥 absolute heart in mouth stuff 🥶 #BANvIND
— Rishabh (@morningxstar_89) July 11, 2023
Bangladesh choked at the end !!
India 🇮🇳 won the match by 8 runs.
Brilliant bowling by Shafali verma 👏 She picked 3 wickets in the last over.
India W :- 95/7 in 20 overs
Bangladesh W :- 87 All-out #Cricket #INDWvBANW #BANvIND— Visheshta Jotwani 🌸 (@visheshtaaa_j15) July 11, 2023
Shefali defended 10 runs in last over🤣🤣..she is more like bowling all rounder #BANvIND
— Kishan Sharma3 (@Sharma3Kishan) July 11, 2023
Its called indian women team miracle 95 runs ni defend chesi win ayyam chuduuu🥵🔥
Well played girls t20' win ayipoyam next ODI's inka..!!!💯🙌#BANvIND
— keerthana varma (@Keerthanavarma_) July 11, 2023
Congratulation Team India Womens Cricket team won 2nd T20I Mirpur. #BANvIND pic.twitter.com/E0P5jyHWO6
— Sunil Singh (@SunilSingh_0007) July 11, 2023
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