Two in Two for India Women at the T20 WC, beat Bangladesh by 18 runs

Hyderabad: The women in blue continued their dominant run in the ongoing T20 World Cup at Australia as they beat Bangladesh by 18 runs in their second league game at Perth on Monday.

The toss was in favour of the Bangladeshi women as they chose to bowl first. India brought in Richa Ghosh for Smriti Mandhana as she was out with illness. Openers Taniya Bhatia and Shafali Verma walked out to bat as Taniya Bhatia was dismissed for 14. The 16-year-old superwoman, Shafali Verma once again put up a clinical batting performance as she scored a quick fire 39(17) which included 4 sixes. She was well supported by Jemimah Rodrigues until she got out.

Jemimah Rodrigues took the initiative to tackle the Bangla bowlers with a steady 34 in the middle. She then fell short of her crease and went back to the pavilion. Veda Krishnamurthy then scored a cameo of 20 to take India to 142/6.

The Bangladeshi women had a stiff target to chase but lost an early wicket only to add up to their sorrow. Murshida khatun and Sanjida Islam then put up a 39-run partnership to steady the innings. No one except for Nigar Sultana showed signs of a fight back as Poonam Yadav once again spun through a batting line-up, this time Bangladesh. She ended up with the figures of 3/18 in 4 overs. She was well assisted by Shikha Pandey who picked 2-14 in her 4 overs.

Yet another clinical performance with the ball lead India to a convincing victory by 18 runs in their second league game. They now comfortably sit at the top of the Group-A points table with 4 points. Shafali Verma was asjudged as the player of the match for her blistering 39(17). India will have a tough challenge in the form of New Zealand in their next league game.