Bangladesh girls lost to India by 7 wickets in the first T20 of the three-match series at Mirpur Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium. Tigresses scored 114 runs for 5 wickets in the scheduled 20 overs at the beginning of the match. In response, the visitors confirmed the victory with 22 balls and 7 wickets in hand.
Indian captain Harmanpreet Kaur invited Bangladesh to bat after winning the toss in Mirpur. After losing the toss and batting, Bangladesh lost their first wicket for 27 runs. Opener Shamima Sultana returned with 17 runs from 13 balls. 22 runs came from the bat of another opener, Saathi Rani. Jyoti was out for just 2 runs.
Then Shabana Mostari and Swarna Akhtar added some runs to the team score. Shabana scored 23 runs before getting out. And the innings best 28 runs came from Swarna’s bat. Ritu Moni scored 11 runs.
India didn’t get off to a good start chasing runs either. Opener Shefali Burma returns for zero runs. Jemima Rodriguez scored 11 runs off 14 balls.
Still, the Bangladeshi bowlers could not put pressure on India in the low-scoring match. Harmanpreet Kaur and Smt Mandhana’s 70-run stand laid the foundation for India’s victory. Mandhana scored 38 runs off 34 balls. Meanwhile, team leader Harmanpreet remained unbeaten on 54 runs from 35 balls after completing his personal half-century. Yastika Bhatia left the field for 6 runs.
(09 July/MM)