Tigresses’ batting crumbles against India

Ten days after giving India a scare in the Women’s Asia Cup semi-final in Dubai, Bangladesh could not even manage that at the 20th Asian Games in Aichi-Nagoya, suffering their biggest defeat against India in women’s T20Is, a crushing 114-run loss on Sunday.

Whether with ball, in the field or with bat, Nigar Sultana Joty’s side looked utterly outclassed by Harmanpreet Kaur’s India in the semi-final.

After losing the toss and being sent into the field, Bangladesh’s bowlers served up a feast of half-volleys and full tosses. Only Sanjida Akter Meghla took 1-25 from four overs, offering some control.

Left-arm spinner Nahida Akter was particularly expensive, conceding 48 runs for one wicket, the most runs conceded by a Bangladesh woman in a T20I.

On a small ground with a fast outfield and batting-friendly pitch, India women attacked from the outset to post their highest T20I total against Bangladesh, 195-4.

Openers Shafali Verma and Smriti Mandhana tore into the Tigresses’ attack during the six-over powerplay, racing to 72. Mandhana fell for 37 off 19 balls, hitting five fours and two sixes, becoming the leading run-scorer in women’s T20Is.

She moved past New Zealand’s Suzie Bates, who had 4,758 runs, taking her tally to 4,788.

Shafali then joined Harmanpreet in a third-wicket stand worth 94 from 55 balls. Harmanpreet made 40 before falling while attempting to attack Rabeya down the wicket.

Shafali, who had been dropped on six and 11 in the Asia Cup before making 64, completed her maiden T20I ton in Aichi-Nagoya.

Her innings featured three times as many sixes as fours, with nine maximums, the most by an Indian batter in a women’s T20I innings.

Chasing 196 against India’s varied bowling attack was always a daunting task, but Bangladesh’s batting offered little resistance. They lost three wickets during the powerplay while scoring 39, with the top order repeatedly gifting India chances.

Juairiya Ferdous was the first to go, caught at cover-point off Nandini Sharma for a duck. Sobhana Mostary followed for four, pulling a short delivery from Kranti Gaud to mid-wicket.

Joty then fell for nine, edging a cross-batted shot against Shreyanka Patil to mid-on. Shorna Akter also departed for five, caught at mid-off off an outside-off delivery from Shreyanka.

Nandini Sharma finished with 3-25, and Deepti Sharma claimed 3-7 as Bangladesh were bowled out for 81 with 26 balls remaining.

Bangladesh will now play Pakistan women for the bronze medal on Tuesday.