The Bangladesh Women’s team’s aspiration to move to the Women’s Asia Cup final was shattered after a crushing 10-wicket defeat to mighty India at Rangiri Dambulla International Stadium on Friday.
Opting to bat first, Bangladesh were held back to a meager 83-8, a score that India overhauled without any trouble as they reached 83 for no loss in 11 overs.
Smriti Mandhana led the charge with 39 ball-55 not out, smashing nine fours and one six and having done so, she went past Harmanpreet Kaur as India’s highest run-getter in Women’s T20 International.
Mandhana currently has 3433 runs under her belt while Kaur, the captain had 3415. Her fellow opener Shafali Verma was unbeaten on 26 of 28 as India completed the inevitable without any fuss.
But pacer Renuka Singh and left-arm spinner Radha Yadav were the wrecker-in-chief for Bangladesh as they claimed three wickets, giving away just 10 and 14 runs respectively in their four overs.
They put Bangladesh in a troublesome 33-5 in 10.5 overs after captain Nigar Sultana Joty elected to bat first. The reckless batting show raised a possibility of bowling Bangladesh out below 100.
While Renuka ripped through Bangladesh’s top-order in a gem of pace bowling, Radha caused a middle over havoc, leaving the Tigresses in a state of embarrassment.
Bangladesh never recovered from their collapse and eventually were restricted well below 100. Skipper Joty battled lonely for the side, scoring 32 off 51 deliveries.
Shorna Akter was the other warrior, chipping with 19. Indeed they were the two batters who could reach double digits.
Earlier in the group phase, the Tigresses beat Thailand by seven wickets and crushed Malaysia by 114 runs before losing to hosts Sri Lanka by seven wickets in their first match.
