Published: Feb 16, 2017, 11:26 AM (IST)
Edited: Feb 16, 2017, 11:50 AM (IST)
India Women continued their winning march in the ICC Women’s World Cup Qualifier 2017 after an all-round performance against South Africa Women. The start of the Super Six stage saw the clash of the unbeatable — both teams had not lost a game so far — take place at P Sara Oval in Colombo. India’s bowling was able to restrict South Africa 49 runs short of their target of 206 runs. With this win India took the top spot in points table. They are now set to take on their eastern neighbors, Bangladesh, in their next match. Both teams will meet at the Nondescripts Cricket Club Ground in Colombo, where the winner will almost book themselves a place in the final.
Unlike India, Bangladesh have suffered a few early losses but have managed to come back as a much improved side. Rumana Ahmed has led the side with maturity and composure. Ahmed’s form with the bat and ball has been the most exciting. As a skipper she has managed to pull her side through tough situations, which is commendable. Bangladesh’s batting has rallied behind Farhana Hoque (155) and Sharmin Akhter (142). Ahmed (107) herself has being amongst the runs, which has added depth to their side. ICC Women’s World Cup Qualifier 2017: Points table
Bangladesh’s bowling has been the most impressive as a unit with as many as three-bowlers featuring in the top 10 list. Ahmed, Salma Khatun and Jahanara Alam have contributed to most of the wickets. Khadija Tul Kubra’s form is also important for their side given that she is a match-winner on her own.
India’s form has been impeccable in this tournament so far with five victories on the trot. An all-round show from the side has made it more potent and reliable; even if one department fails the other two back it up. Mithali Raj’s batting form and astuteness in the middle has done wonders to the team’s progress. Apart from the spinners the pace-battery too has managed to provide India victories, which only spells doom for their opponents in matches to come.
Squads:
India Women: Mithali Raj (c), Ekta Bisht, Rajeshwari Gayakwad, Thirush Kamini, Harmanpreet Kaur, Veda Krishnamurthy, Mona Meshram, Shikha Pandey, Poonam Yadav, Deepti Sharma, Devika Vaidya, Sushma Verma (wk), Soni Yadav, Mansi Joshi.
Bangladesh Women: Rumana Ahmed (c), Fargana Hoque, Fahima Khatun, Sanjida Islam, Jahanara Alam, Khadija Tul Kubra, Lata Mondal, Nigar Sultana (wk), Panna Ghosh, Ritu Moni, Salma Khatun, Sharmin Sultana, Sharmin Akhter, Suraiya Azmin, Shaila Sharmin
Time: 10.00 AM IST
