Kuala Lumpur: As many as six Malaysia batswomen failed to open their account as India bundled them out for just 27 runs to register a resounding 142-run victory in their opening match of Women’s Twenty20 Asia Cup match here at the Kinara Academy Oval, Sunday.
Chasing a victory target of 170 runs, the Indian bowlers just needed 13.4 overs to bundle the home side in a completely lopsided match. Only five Malaysian batswomen could really open their account with Sasha Azmi (nine) top scoring for them.
Malaysia lost half of their side within five overs, getting reduced to 12/ 5. Captain Winifred Duraisingam (five) and Zumika Azmi (four n o) stayed at the crease for long with any substantial contribution as India completed a massive victory.
For India, Pooja Vastrakar (3/6) grabbed wickets while the spin duo of Anuja Patil (2/9) and Poonam Yadav (2/0), who did not concede any run, took two wickets apiece as the Indian bowlers ran riot over the clueless Malaysians.
Earlier opting to bat first, India finished at 169 runs for the loss of three wickets, courtesy an unbeaten knock from senior pro Mithali Raj (97 n o, 69b, 13×4, 1×6). The Indians didn’t have best of the starts as they finished their powerplay with 35 runs on the board losing two wickets.
Skipper Harmanpreet Kaur (32) also played a good hand and stitched together a 86-run stand with Mithali for the third wicket.
Brief Scores: India Women 169/3 (Mithali Raj 97 n o, Harmanpreet Kaur 32; Noor Hayati Zakariya 1/30) beat Malaysia Women 27 all out in 13.4 overs (Sasha Azmi 9; Pooja Vastrakar 3/6, Poonam Yadav 2/0) by 142 runs.
