Colombo: Indian women produced an all-round show to spank their Bangladesh counterparts by nine wickets in a Super Six match of the ICC Women’s World Cup Qualifier here Friday. The win helped the Indian eves to qualify for the ICC Women’s World Cup 2017.
Opting to bowl after winning the toss the Indian eves first restricted Bangladesh women to a paltry 155 for eight in 50 overs and then chased down the target, reaching 158 for one in 33.3 overs to book a berth in the main event to be played in England in June.
The chase turned out to be a cakewalk for India with opener Mona Meshram (78 n o, 92b, 12×4) and skipper Mithali Raj (73 n o, 87b, 10×4, 1×6) putting on 136 runs in an unbroken stand for the second wicket. The only wicket to fall was that of Deepti Sharma’s (one). She was caught and bowled by right-arm off-spinner Khadija Tul Kubra.
But then came in Mithali, the world’s second-highest run-getter in women’s ODIs, and she and Mona hit 22 fours between them to leave Bangladesh in disarray.
Unbeaten so far in the tournament, India will next play Pakistan in their final Super Six game February 19 at the P Sara Oval.
Earlier, Fargana Hoque (50, 107b, 5×4) scored a half century for Bangladesh women while opener Sharmin Akhter (35) helped Bangladesh to go past the 150-run mark.
For India, pacer Mansi Joshi (3/25) bowled well with leg-spinner Devika Vaidya (2/17) supporting her well.
Brief scores: Bangladesh 155 for 8 (Fargana Hoque 50, Sharmin Akhter 35; Mansi Joshi 3/25) lost to India 158 for one in 33.3 overs (Mona Meshram 78 n o, Mithali Raj 73 n o).
Press Trust of India