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Women's T20 WC PIX: Shafali, Poonam shine as India overcome Bangladesh

Last updated on: February 24, 2020 22:29 IST

Images from ICC women's T20 World Cup match between India and Bangladesh, in Perth, on Monday.

• Scorecard

Poonam Yadav

IMAGE: Bangladesh struggled against quality spin bowling by India. Photograph: T20 World Cup/Twitter

Leg-spinner Poonam Yadav delivered yet again with timely dismissals to lead India to a comfortable 18-run victory over Bangladesh in the ICC women's T20 World Cup match, in Perth, on Monday.

 

Invited to bat, a substantial partnership eluded them after a fiery start, but India still managed to post a competitive 142 for six at the WACA ground.

Shafali Verma

IMAGE: Shafali Verma gave India a rollicking start. Photograph: T20 World Cup/Twitter

India were off to a flying start as opener Shafali Verma (39 of 17 balls) came out all guns blazing in the Group A game.

However, the Indian innings never got the impetuous after the departure of the 16-year-old, who hit four sixes and two fours in her entertaining knock.

Later, Veda Krishnamurthy (20 off 11) hit few lusty blows to help India post a fighting total.

Bangladesh fought back through Murshida Khatun (30) and Nigar Sultana (35), but Poonam rattled the middle and lower order with timely strikes.

In the end, Bangladesh could manage 124 for eight, giving India their second straight win in the tournament.

Women's T20 World Cup

IMAGE: Veda Krishnamurthy bats. Photograph: T20 World Cup/Twitter

"The way Shafali and Richa played today, they showed how capable they are for the team. Veda's innings was turning point. We needed boundaries at that point and she did a great job," India skipper Harmanpreet Kaur said.

Poonam, who had helped India halt Australia's chase in their opening game as well, was the top bowler again. She scalped Sanjida Islam (10), Fahima Khatun (17) and Jahanara Alam (10) to make it tough for Bangladesh.

Bangladesh needed 49 runs from last five overs but their batters failed to negotiate Poonam's flighted deliveries.

Jemimah Rodrigues

IMAGE: Jemimah Rodrigues in action. Photograph: T20 World Cup/Twitter

The Indian spinner had Fahima caught by Shafali off the first ball of the 16th over while Rajeshwari Gaekwad saw the back of a well-set Nigar Sultana.

Poonam then returned to dismiss Jahanara, who stepped out looking for a big hit only to be stumped by Taniya.

The runs dried up and Bangladesh needed 22 off the final over. 

Pacer Shikha Pandey clean bowled Rumana Ahmed with a perfect yorker and the writing was clear on the wall.

Earlier, Shafali punished the Bangladesh attack with some fluent stroke-making.

Attempting a big one, she skied one off veteran Panna Ghosh and was dismissed, caught by wicketkeeper Shamima Sultana.

This was after fellow-opener Taniya Bhatia (2) was sent back by Salma Khathun.

Women's T20 World Cup

IMAGE: Bangladesh players celebrate the fall off Shafali Verma’s wicket. Photograph: T20 World Cup/Twitter

Jemimah Rodrigues played a sedate yet crucial 34-run knock since hard-hitting skipper Harmanpreet Kaur was already dismissed by Ghosh.

With both Shafali and Harmanpreet cooling their heels back in the dug out, India's run-rate took a dip.

Jemimah erred in judgement while calling Deepti for a single and was run out.

Richa Ghosh, who replaced Smriti Mandhana in the playing eleven, hit two splendid boundaries before holing out to Nahida Akter off Salma Khatun.

The slide continued with Deepti Sharma (11) running herself out following a mix up with Veda Krishnamurthy (20 off 11).

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