Dhaka — Despite of a good preparation camp right before the main event, Bangladesh National Women’s Cricket team made a frustrating start in the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup losing to neighboring India by 18 runs in the Australian city of Perth on Monday.
Bangladesh failed to display a performance what they have done in the Asia Cup’2018 when they beat India in two consecutive games to clinch the title.
In their first group match, Bangladesh won the toss and opted to bowl first. They restricted India in 142 for 6 in 20 overs.
In reply, Bangladesh were tumbled for 124 for 8 in 20 overs and lost the match by 18 runs.
Bangladesh faced an initial debacle when Indian Shikha Pandey removed Shamima Sultana for three. In the second wicket stand, Murshida Khatun and Sanjida Khatun added 39 runs on the board.
But Arundhati Reddy scalped the wicket of Murshida for 30 off 26 balls with four fours and the Tigress were never able to back to the race.
The wicketkeeper-batter Nigar Sultana scored 35 off 26 balls with five fours, but her effort went in vain as the other batters were not able to replicate the same effort in the wicket.
Fahima Khatun, Jahanra Alam and Rumana Ahmed posted 17, 10 and 13 respectively, but these efforts were not enough to chase the target.
Eventually, Bangladesh ended on 124 for eight in 20 overs and lost their first game of the event by 18 runs.
Poonam Yadav, the leg-spinner, bagged three wickets conceding 18 runs in four overs while Shikha and Arundhati scalped two wickets each.
Earlier, Shafali Verma, Jemimah Rodrigues and Veda Krishnamurthy guided India to a challenging total of 142, scoring 39, 34 and 20 runs respectively. Shefali’s 19-ball 39 was the vital innings for India to seal the game.
Later Shafali Verma, who scored 39 off 17 balls featuring two fours and four sixes and was declared the player of the match.
Salma Khatun and Panna Ghosh bagged two wickets for Bangladesh conceding 25 runs each. In the remaining group stage games, Bangladesh will face Australia, New Zealand and Sri Lanka.UNB
