Sports Reporter :
Bangladesh National Women’s Cricket team became the champions of the ACC Asia Cup T20 after beating their counterpart mighty India National Women’s Cricket team by three wickets in the final at Kinrara Academy Oval in Kuala Lumpur, the capital city of Malaysia on Sunday. It was Bangladesh Women’s Cricket team’s maiden title for the prestigious cricket meet.
Chasing India’s fighting total of 112 for the loss of nine wickets in the stipulated 20 overs, the Tigresses reached the winning spot in the last ball of the 20th over making 113 for the loss of seven wickets.
Bangladesh made a good start as the two openers Ayasha Rahman and Shamima Sultana contributing together 35 runs in the opening stand before Ayasha Rahman (17) was caught by Jhulan Goswami off Poonam Yadav.
Then Shamima Sultana (16) was caught by Mithali Raj off Poonam Yadav when Bangladesh’s score was 35 for the loss of two wickets.
Then Fargana Hoque and Nigar Sultana repaired the damage adding together 20 runs in the third wicket stand before Fargana Hoque (11) was caught behind by wicketkeeper Tania Bhatia off Poonam Yadav when the Tigresses total was 55 for the loss of three wickets.
After dismissal of Fargana Hoque, Nigar Sultana and Rumana Ahmed put on together 28 runs for the fourth wicket partnership before Nigar Sultana was caught by Deepti Sharma off Punom Yadav when Bangladesh’s score was 83 for the loss of four wickets.
Nigar Sultana top-scored with 27. She hit four fours in her 24-ball innings.
After Nigar Sultana’s departure, Bangladesh women failed to make any notable partnership. Rumana Ahmed made 23 from 22 balls before she was run out by a joint effort of Deepti Sharma and Harmanpreet Kaur when Bangladesh’s score was 111 for the loss of seven wickets. Rumana Ahmed bagged a couple of wickets at the cost of 22 runs. Rumana Ahmed was adjudged the Player of the Match for her all-round performance.
Poonam Yadav claimed four wickets at the cost of nine runs, while Harmanpreet Kaur got two wickets conceding 19 runs.
Earlier, Harmanpreet Kaur hit a captain’s knock of 56. She struck seven fours in her 42-ball innings. Kaur was caught by Jahanara Alam off Khadija Tul Kubra when India’s total was 112 for the loss nine wickets. Kaur was the only cricketer of India who fought back against the superb bowling attack of Bangladesh bowlers.
Khadija Tul Kubra captured two wickets instead of 23 runs.
Jahanara Alam and Salma Sultana took one wicket each for 23 and 24 runs respectively.
