While eight top teams are battling it out for glory in Women's World Cup 2022 in New Zealand, Bahrain women have created a record in the shortest format of the game. Bahrain Women broke the record for the highest T20I total as they posted a humongous total of 318/1 while batting first against Saudi Arabia Women.
Deepika Rasangika's unbeaten record-breaking 161 helped Bahrain break the previous record of highest T20I total of 314/2 which was set by Uganda Women on June 20, 2019 against Mali Women side.
Deepika also broke the record for the highest T20I score in an innings by a woman batter. The former Sri Lankan batter broke Australia's Alyssa Healy's record of unbeaten 148 which she scored on October 2, 2019 against Sri Lanka.
The 38-year-old struck 31 boundaries in her innings which is by far the most by a batter in the format in women's cricket. She took just 66 deliveries to score 161. The Colombo-born batter reached the three figures in just 43 deliveries which makes it the second-fastest century in women's T20I cricket after West Indies' Deandra Dottin.
Interestingly, she came to bat in the fifth over after opener Rasika Rodrigo was dismissed. She shared an unbeaten 255-run partnership which is the highest for second wicket and second-highest for any wicket.
Her batting partner and skipper Tharanga Gajanayake remained not out for 94 off 56 deliveries including 17 boundaries. Saudi Arabia's Maira Khan turned out to be the most expensive bowler. She leaked 68 runs from her quota of four overs which is the second-most runs conceded by a bowler in women's T20I cricket.
In reply, Saudi Arabia batters could not make an impact. They did not get bundled out but scored 49 runs from 20 overs. None of the Saudi Arabia batters could score in double digits whereas three of them bagged ducks. Deepika starred with the ball as well. The left-arm leg-spinner took three wickets and conceded just nine runs. She bowled a maiden as well.
Bahrain won the match by a massive margin by 269 runs which is the second-highest win by runs in women's T20I cricket.
