In the five-T20I series, Harmanpreet Kaur's India took an unassailable 3-0 lead with a comfortable seven wicket victory against Bangladesh at Sylhet International Cricket Stadium on May 2. After spinners restricted Bangladesh to 117/8, Shafali Verma and Smriti Mandhana's 91-run opening partnership helped the visitors make run chase look easy.
Decent start for Bangladesh
Earlier, Harmanpreet won the toss and opted to bowl first. Dilara Akter scored quickly while Murshida Khatun took her time. Dilara was dropped in the sixth over in Shreyanka Patil's over. After powerplay overs, Bangladesh were 44 for no loss. The partnership was broken in the seventh over. In an attempt to take a non-existent run Murshida departed for a 16-ball 9. Renuka Singh came back into the attack and got the better of Dilara. The opener scored 39 runs from 27 balls including five fours. Spinners put pressure on new batters. Sobhana Mostary ended the boundary drought.
Spinners tie up Bangladesh batters
Mostary was run out for 15 off 20 balls in the 14th over. On the next delivery, Shreyanka got Fahima Khatun out for a golden duck. After three boundaryless overs, Nigar hit a boundary off Shreyanka. In the penultimate over, Radha ended Nigar's stay at the crease. She scored 28 runs from 36 balls. Shorifa Khatun got bowled for a two-ball duck. In the final over, Pooja Vastrakar started with Ritu Moni's wicket. She did not concede a single boundary in the over. Nahida Akter was run out on the final ball of the innings. Bangladesh posted 117/8.
Match-winning opening partnership
In the run chase, India got off to an ideal start. In the fourth over, Shafali hit Shorifa for three fours. In the sixth over, she completed a hat-trick of fours against Nahida. After powerplay overs, India were 59 for no loss. Mandhana hit the first six of the innings off Rabeya Khan. At the halfway stage, India were 84 for no loss. The partnership was broken by Ritu in the 13th over. Shafali got out caught and bowled after completing her half-century. She scored 51 runs from 38 balls laced with eight fours.
Consolation wickets for Bangladesh
In the 14th over, India completed 100 runs. Nahida ended Mandhana's stay at the crease. She scored 47 runs from 42 balls including five fours and one six. In the next over, Rabeya ended her spell with Dayalan Hemalatha's wicket. Harmanpreet and Richa Ghosh batted patiently in the slog overs. In the penultimate over, Richa finished the run chase with a boundary. India won the game with nine balls to spare.
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