Poonam Raut and Thirushkamini scored contrasting half-centuries in a 130-run opening stand as India thrashed Bangladesh by 49 runs in the first Twenty20 International to a take a 1-0 lead in the three-match series, here on Tuesday.
Asked to bat, India scored a challenging 143 for three as Raut (75) and Thirushkamini (56) almost batted through the innings. The stand was broken in the 18th over when Bangladesh skipper Salma Khatun castled Thirushkamini. Khatun, who bowls off-spin, took all the three Indian wickets.
In reply, Bangladesh could score only 94 for seven, built around Khatun’s unbeaten knock of 49. None of the other Bangladesh batswoman could make an impact as India easily defended the total. Six of the seven bowlers employed by Indian skipper Harmanpreet Kaur, contributed by taking a wicket each.
Apart from Khatun, only opener Shahanaz Parvin (13) could reach double figures.
Raut’s 75 came off 56 balls with 10 boundaries, while Kamini took 72 balls for her 56-run knock which contained seven fours. Raut and Kaur (3) were dismissed by Salma in the last over.
The scores: India 143 for three (Poonam Raut 75, Thirushkamini 56, Salma Khatun three for 12) bt Bangladesh 94 for seven (Khatun 49 n.o.). — PTI
