India registered a crucial five-wicket victory over Bangladesh in the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup, strengthening their chances of reaching the semi-finals with an all-round performance at Old Trafford, Manchester.
After winning the toss, Bangladesh chose to bat first but found it difficult to accelerate against a disciplined Indian bowling attack. Despite a steady partnership in the middle overs, Bangladesh finished with 136/8 in 20 overs, a competitive but chaseable total. Juairiya Ferdous (33), Nigar Sultana (32), and Sobhana Mostary (22) contributed useful runs, while India’s bowlers maintained pressure throughout the innings. Renuka Singh, Radha Yadav, and Shree Charani played key roles in restricting Bangladesh during the death overs.
India began the chase with positive intent, and opener Shafali Verma produced a match-winning innings of 53 runs from just 34 balls. Her aggressive stroke play ensured India stayed ahead of the required run rate during the powerplay, putting Bangladesh’s bowlers under constant pressure.
Although Bangladesh fought back with wickets in the middle overs through their spin attack, India remained composed. Valuable contributions from the middle order helped the team reach the target of 137, finishing at 139/5 in 16.5 overs, with 19 balls to spare.
Shafali Verma was deservedly named Player of the Match for her fluent half-century, which laid the foundation for India’s comfortable chase. While the batting impressed, India’s fielding continued to be an area of concern, with multiple dropped catches allowing Bangladesh to add extra runs. The team will be eager to address these lapses before their next crucial fixture.
The victory comes at a vital stage of the tournament after India faced pressure following an earlier defeat. With this result, Harmanpreet Kaur’s side has kept its semi-final hopes firmly alive and will now look to carry the winning momentum into its remaining group-stage matches.
Match Summary
- Bangladesh Women: 136/8 (20 overs)
- India Women: 139/5 (16.5 overs)
- Result: India won by 5 wickets
- Player of the Match: Shafali Verma (53 off 34 balls)
India’s clinical performance showcased the team’s resilience and ability to bounce back under pressure. If the bowlers continue their disciplined performances and the fielding improves, India will remain a strong contender for a place in the Women’s T20 World Cup semi-finals.