3:48 PM IST, 4:18 PM Local Time: What a dramatic collapse we have seen here in Mirpur. Bangladesh have collapsed from 106/3 to 120 all out losing their last 7 wickets for 14 runs. Jemimah Rodrigues did the star turn with 4 wickets along with a stellar effort with the bat as India have come storming back to win the game by a massive 108 runs and level the series 1-1. An all round performance by the Women in Blue today.
Chasing a tricky 229 on a difficult track, Bangladesh lost their openers quite early. Murshida Khatun got into double figures. Fargana Hoque held the innings together with her 47 off 81 balls and was having a good partnership with Ritu Moni who scored 27 off 46 balls. Bangladesh were 106/3 when the 4th wicket fell and the free fall started for them losing 7/14 to be bundled out for 120 in 35.1 overs. 10 extras were given by the fielding side.
The Indian bowlers bowled well. Jemimah Rodrigues came late and did the star turn picking up 4 wickets for 3 runs in just 3.1 overs. She was ably supported by Devika Vaidya who picked up 3 wickets for 30 runs in 8 overs. A wicket apiece for Meghna Singh who got the first wicket, Deepti Sharma, and Sneh Rana. They were disciplined with the ball and got the wickets when needed to.
Earlier in the day, India Women were put into bat by Bangladesh Women. The Women in Blue lost Priya Punia early yet again. Yastika Bhatia looked good in her 15 but was unfortunately run out at the bowler's end. Smriti Mandhana got some runs as she scored 36 off 58 balls. Skipper Harmanpreet Kaur held the innings together and was hit on the hand twice which forced her to retire hurt. She came back and completed her 50 but stayed off the field in the chase handing over the captaincy to Mandhana. Kaur scored 52.
But it was Jemimah Rodrigues's 86 off 78 balls which propelled India past 200 on a tough track. She was ably supported by Harleen Deol who chipped in with 25. Just 3 extras were given by the fielding side.
The Bangladesh Women bowlers bowled well. A couple of wickets apiece for Sultana Khatun and Nahida Akter. A wicket apiece for Marufa Akter and Rabeya Khan. The bowlers did a decent job, but the batters let them down and so they do down in this match. But the series is alive.
So, India Women wins by 108 runs to level the series at 1-1 and set up the decider on Saturday at the same venue. Stick around for the presentation ceremony.