Venue : W.A.C.A. Ground, Perth
Toss : Bangladesh Women won the toss and opt to bowl
Squad
Bangladesh Women (Playing XI): Murshida Khatun, Shamima Sultana, Sanjida Islam, Nigar Sultana(w), Fargana Hoque, Rumana Ahmed, Salma Khatun(c), Fahima Khatun, Jahanara Alam, Panna Ghosh, Nahida Akter
India Women (Playing XI): Shafali Verma, Taniya Bhatia(w), Jemimah Rodrigues, Harmanpreet Kaur(c), Deepti Sharma, Richa Ghosh, Veda Krishnamurthy, Shikha Pandey, Arundhati Reddy, Poonam Yadav, Rajeshwari Gayakwad
Smiriti Mandhana-Viral fever
On speaking about Smiriti captain Harmanpreet Kaur said : We wanted to bat, and get a decent total on the board, so we are happy. The first game was good for us to set the tone, and we’re positive that we’ll do that. Smriti Mandhana is out due to viral fever, and Richa Ghosh comes in for her.
India’s Batting
After the victory in first match against Australia, India face Bangladesh without their opener Smiriti Mandhana. Bhatia and Shafali Verma are at the crease, Bhatia is on strike. Jahanara Alam opens the attack. Without any fear 16 year old Verma strike a six in the first over and continued her play as in the first match. In the next over bowled by Salma Khatun where Verma strike another six and rotate the strike to Bhatia. But Bhatia failed to show up and left to pavilion as she ventured out far too early from the crease and get stumped by keeper.
Verma’s innings end by Ghosh
On the other hand Verma continued her aggressive strike with balls flying around the ground. With a six and couple of boundaries in 3rd over India scored a total of 34 runs for a wicket loss. The terrific innings of Verma comes to an end when she strike the Panna Ghosh’s ball and get caught by Shamima Sultana. At the end of power play India scored 54 runs for two wicket loss.
Harmanpreet Kaur fails to show herself as in the first T20I and return to pavilion with just 8 runs from 11 balls. Deepti Sharma then joins hand with Rodrigues where this duo is expected to score some runs.
India reached 100!!
The well formed in ground Rodrigues get an unnecessary run out and left the ground while she scored 34 runs off 37 balls. With a couple of boundaries from Richa Ghosh India reached 100 runs in total. But soon Ghosh lose her wicket to Salma Khatun and return pavilion with 14 runs.
Crazy run-out
In the same over where Deepti Sharma and Krishnamurthy are in crease. Deepti Sharma gets a run out while try to take a second run, both ended up going towards the same end after some major confusion. Shikha Pandey paired with Krishnamurthy and dragged India towards a descent score of 142. Salma Khatun and Panna Ghosh each took couple of wickets for Bangladesh.
Bangladesh Batting
With a target of 143 to chase down Bangladesh’s Shamima Sultana and Murshida Khatun gets in crease. Deepti Sharma opens the bowling attack for India and provided only 3 runs of the first over. Shikha Pandey took the wicket of Shamima Sultana in her first over and Bangladesh stunned as they lose their opener for 5 runs.
In the very next over of Deepti Sharma, Murshida Khatun hits three boundaries and scored 14 runs of that over. Bangladesh scored 33 runs for a wicket loss when power play ends. This duo paired and scored 39 runs for the next wicket of Murshida Khatun. Richa Ghosh took the Khatun’s catch and sent her to paviliion for 30 runs.
Nigar Sultana-Helpless
Nigar Sultana joins hand with Sanjida Islam and moved Bangladesh towards 50 runs in total. Nigar Sultana hits couple of boundaries in Arundhati Reddy’s over and after 10 overs Bangladesh scored 60 runs for two wicket loss.
Poonam Yadav’s wicket-taking form continues as she uproots Sanjida Islam’s wicket and breaks the partnership that about to do something great. Arundhati Reddy gets into celebration when she dismissed Fargana Hoque for a duck.
Poonam Yadav’s spell
Nigar Sultana single handedly fought and try to move Bangladesh towards their victory. But failed to make a partnership and have a stand by. In the 15th over Poonam Yadav uproot Fahima Khatun and provide the break through needed by Indian team. Finally the long fight of Nigar Sultana came to an end when Gayakwad dismissed her for 35 runs. An easy stumping for Jahanara Alam made by Bhatia added credits.
Bangladesh need an improbable 22 off the final over. That too against Shikha Pandey who was superb against Australia. With a yorker in the first ball Shikha Pandey dismissed Rumana Ahmed and paved the way for a glorious victory where India beat Bangladesh by 18 runs.
Player of the match
Shafali Verma(India)
Batting : 39 off 17 delivery
Shafali Verma : Since Mandhana wasn’t around, I wanted to take the responsibility to stay around and give India a good start. I’ve been practising hitting the ball hard and I would like to bring the team more success in the future. I’d like to continue doing this, help India win matches and ultimately win us the World Cup.
Captain’s view
Harmanpreet Kaur, India captain : The way Shafali and Richa played today, they showed how capable they are for the team. Veda’s innings was turning point. We needed boundaries at that point and she did a great job. Look at one game at a time. Looking forward to do well in the future also. Hopefully Mandhana will be ready for New Zealand. She’s feeling better now.
Salma Khatun, Bangladesh captain : Didn’t bowl well in powerplay. Had mistakes in the field. Have only played 3-4 games under lights. Have to improve our game in the powerplay.
