Bang-up job

Perth, February 24

Leg-spinner Poonam Yadav delivered yet again with timely dismissals to lead India to a comfortable 18-run win over Bangladesh in their ICC Women’s T20 World Cup match here today.

Invited to bat, a substantial partnership eluded India after a fiery start but they still managed to post a competitive 142/6. India were off to a flying start with opener Shafali Verma (39 of 17 balls) coming out all guns blazing in the Group A game.

However, the Indian innings never got the impetus after the departure of the 16-year-old, who hit four sixes and two fours in her entertaining knock. Later, Veda Krishnamurthy (20 off 11) hit a few lusty blows to help India post a fighting total.

Bangladesh fought through Murshida Khatun (30) and Nigar Sultana (35) but Poonam rattled the middle and lower order with her strikes.

In the end, Bangladesh could manage only 124/8, giving India their second straight win in the tournament. “The way Shafali and Richa (Ghosh) played today, they showed how capable they are for the team,” India skipper Harmanpreet Kaur said. “Veda’s innings was the turning point. We needed boundaries at that point and she did a great job,” she added.

Poonam’s flight

Poonam, who had helped India halt Australia’s chase in their opening game as well, was the top bowler again. She scalped Sanjida Islam (10), Fahima Khatun (17) and Jahanara Alam (10) to make it tough for Bangladesh. They needed 49 runs from the last five overs but they failed to negotiate Poonam’s flighted deliveries. The Indian spinner had Fahima caught by Shafali in the first ball of the 16th over while Rajeshwari Gaekwad saw the back of the well-set Nigar Sultana. Poonam then returned to dismiss Jahanara, who stepped out looking for a big hit only to be stumped by Taniya.

The runs dried up and Bangladesh now needed 22 off the final over.

Pacer Shikha Pandey clean bowled Rumana Ahmed with a perfect yorker and the writing was clear on the wall.

Earlier, Shafali punished the rival attack with her fluent stroke-making.

Attempting a big one, Shafali skied one off veteran Panna Ghosh and was dismissed, caught by wicketkeeper Shamima Sultana.

This was after fellow opener Taniya Bhatia (2) was sent back by Salma Khathun.

Jemimah Rodrigues played a sedate yet crucial 34-run knock since hard-hitting skipper Harmanpreet Kaur was already dismissed by Ghosh. Richa Ghosh replaced an unwell Smriti Mandhana in the playing XI. She hit two splendid boundaries before holing out to Nahida Akter off Salma Khatun. — PTI

Haynes saves Oz the blushes against Lanka

Perth: Rachael Haynes hit a classy fifty to help defending champions Australia overcome a fighting Sri Lanka by five wickets in their second Group A match. Chamari Athapaththu (50) struck a quick half-century but Nicola Carey (2/18), who missed the India game, and Molly Strano (2/23) helped Australia restrict Sri Lanka to a modest 122/6. Chasing the target, the Australian hearts were racing when Alyssa Healy, Ashleigh Gardner and Beth Mooney fell within four overs before Haynes and captain Meg Lanning (41*) stitched a 95-run fourth-wicket stand to take the hosts out of trouble.

Brief scores: Sri Lanka: 122/6 (Atapattu 50, Sanjeewani 25; Carey 2/18, Strano 2/23); Australia: 123/5 (Haynes 60, Lanning 41*; Prabodhani 2/17, Siriwardene 2/20)