Kuala Lumpur, Jun 10: Indian women have been handed a serious defeat after Bangladesh beat the six-time champions by three wickets to win their maiden Asia Cup trophy here today. Indian woman have now lost twice to a rather ordinary team in the last week. Needing two off the last delivery of the match, Jahanara Alam hit rival skipper Harmanpreet Kaur towards deep mid-wicket and scampered home for a double to chase down a modest target of 113.
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For India, it was Harmanpreet (56 off 42 balls, 2/19) and leg-spinner Poonam Yadav (4/9), who made standout performances. None of the Indian batters except Harmapreet (seven boundaries) looked comfortable against the Bangladesh attack. From 62 for 5, it was her innings that helped India go past 100.
India barely managed 21 runs in the Powerplay overs and never had the momentum going their way. A lot of credit would got to left-arm spinner Nahida Akhtar (0/12 in 4 overs) who spun a web around the struggling Indian players. Veteran Rumana Ahmed (2/22 in 4 overs) and off-spinner Khadija Tul Kubra (2/23 in 4 overs) inflicted the maximum damage.
Chasing a modest total, spinners Poonam and Ekta Bisht (0/13 in 4 overs) did try to bring India back in the match but Jhulan Goswami (0/20 in 2 overs) was expensive with the ball apart from being slow in the field. Middle-order batswomen Nigar Sultana (27 off 24 balls) and Rumana Ahmed (23 off 22 balls) were the ones instrumental in Bangladesh’s successful chase. Rumana’s only boundary — a drive through extra cover off Harmanpreet’s final over eased the pressure even though she was run out off the penultimate delivery.
While their contribution in popularising the women’s game is immense, Mithali and Jhulan haven’t contributed enough in India’s recent T20 campaigns.
Scores: India 112/9 in 20 overs (Harmnpreet Kaur 56 off 42 balls, Khadija Tul Kubra 2/23, Rumana Ahmed 2/22). Bangladesh 113/7 in 20 overs (Nigar Sultana 27 off 24 balls, Rumana Ahmed 23 off 22 balls, Poonam Yadav 4/9, Harmanpreet 2/19). PTI
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