Bangladesh women’s cricket team defeated India on Sunday to register a historic maiden title win, in a thrilling final of the Asia Cup T20 tournament in Malaysia.
In a low-scoring final in Kuala Lumpur, Bangladesh women successfully chased down India’s total of 113 with three wickets in hand, with the winning runs being scored of the final ball.
This is Bangladesh’s second victory over India in this year’s Asia Cup tournament, whereas it is for the first time that the Indian women’s cricket team has lost a final in the history of the competition. India women had won the previous six editions of the Asia Cup.
It was largely due to an impressive bowling show that set up a famous victory for the Bangladeshi women. Nahida Akter bowled a measly spell of 4-0-12-0. Khadija Tul Kubra and Rumana Ahmed claimed two wickets each whereas Salma Khatun and Jahanara Alam bagged one wicket apiece.
Despite Harmanpreet Kaur waging a lone battle — 56 off 47 balls with seven fours — India women found no one to help their captain in her endeavour. The second best score in the team came from Mithali Raj and Veda Krishnamurthy, who both scored 11 each as India women finished with 112/9.
In their chase of 113, Bangladeshi women fluttered after Shamima Sultana and Ayasha Rahman added 35 for the first wicket. Poonam Yadav ran through chunk of the Bangladeshi batting in a superb bowling show and produced a stunning spell of 4-0-9-4 whereas captain Harmanpreet Kaur bowled the final over off which Bangladesh needed nine runs.
{{/usCountry}}In their chase of 113, Bangladeshi women fluttered after Shamima Sultana and Ayasha Rahman added 35 for the first wicket. Poonam Yadav ran through chunk of the Bangladeshi batting in a superb bowling show and produced a stunning spell of 4-0-9-4 whereas captain Harmanpreet Kaur bowled the final over off which Bangladesh needed nine runs.
{{/usCountry}}The Indian skipper accounted for two batters — Sanjida Islam and Rumana Ahmed — to derail Bangladeshi hopes but Jahanara Alam scored two off the final ball, to help Bangladesh create history.
Nigar Sultana top scored for Bangladesh with 27, coming off 24 balls with four boundaries.
India women tried as many as seven bowling options, but could not avoid the disappointment at the end.