An all-round performance by Rumana Ahmed guided Bangladesh to their first-ever victory against India beating the giant neighbour in the Women’s T201 Asia Cup match by seven wickets at the Kinrara Academy Oval in Kuala Lumpur on Wednesday.
With the day’s victory, Bangladesh not only brightened their chance to reach the final of the six-nation Asia Cup, but also forced India to concede the first defeat in the women’s continental meet.
This was the 2nd consecutive victory for Bangladesh women’s in the ongoing Women’s Asia Cup following their creditable seven-wicket win over another giant Pakistan on Monday after a frustrating six-wicket defeat against Sri Lanka in the opening match on Sunday last.
After the day’s matches, four teams — India, Sri Lanka, Pakistan and Bangladesh — secured four points each from three matches, but in net run rate India dominated the list followed by Sri Lanka, Pakistan and Bangladesh.
In the remaining matches, Bangladesh women will face comparatively two weaker sides -Thailand on June 7 and hosts Malaysia on June 9 — both at the Kinrara Academy Oval in Kuala Lumpur.
Replying to India’s moderate score of 141 for 7, Bangladesh women’s team reached their dream target making 142 for 3 with two more balls to spare, featuring a record partnership of unbeaten 93 runs in the 4th wicket stand by Rumana Ahmed and Fargana Haque.
After the dismissal of top three batters — Ayasha Rahman (12), Sharmin Sultana (33) and Nigar Sultana (1) — for 49 runs in 7.5 overs, one down Fargana Haque pairing with number five Rumana Ahmed guided the team towards their long-cherished victory.
Rumana Ahmed, who played a vital role in restricting India to 141 runs grabbing three wickets for 21 runs in allocated four overs, hammered her career best and unconquered 42off just 34 balls featuring six boundaries and was adjudged the player of the match while Fargana Haque contributed an unbeaten 52 off 46 balls hitting five fours and a six.
Poonam Yadav, P Vastrakar and RS Gayakwad took one Bangladesh wicket each conceding 21, 21 and 36 runs respectively.
Earlier, India decided to bat first after winning the toss and scored 141 for 7 in stipulated 20 overs , featuring a captain knock of 42 runs by Harmanpreet Kaur and 32 runs number five Deepti Sharma. Kaur and Deepti Sharma sustained the momentum with a 50-run partnership off 42 balls.
Apart from Rumana Ahmed’s three-wicket haul, captain Salma Khatun took one wicket for 21 runs.
