Bangladesh women’s national team conceded their five-match Twenty20 International series to India following a seven-wicket defeat – their third on the trot – in Sylhet on Thursday.
39 from Dilara Akter and 28 from skipper Nigar Sultana Joty saw Bangladesh post a meagre 117-8, which India chased down with ease with nine balls in hand, courtesy of Shafali Verma’s 51 and Smriti Mandhana’s 47.
This is Bangladesh’s second consecutive series defeat to India following their 2-1 loss last year.
Batting first, Dilara gave Bangladesh a great start as she scored 39 off 27 balls, forming a 46-run opening stand with Murshida Khatun (5) off 39 balls as the powerplay brought them 44 runs without a wicket.
Murshida was dismissed in the first over after the powerplay, and Dilara followed her in the next over.
Joty and Sobhana Mostary then added 30 runs for the third wicket but took 35 balls to do so before the latter fell for 15.
No meaningful contribution from the lower order meant that Bangladesh missed out on capitalising their good start, and ended on 117-8.
Radha Yadav picked up two wickets for India, while Renuka Singh, Pooja Vastrakar, and Shreyanka Patil picked up one each.
In reply, the Indian openers – Shafali and Smriti – ensured that Bangladesh had no chance as the duo added 91 runs in 73 balls with the former reaching her fifty off 36 balls.
She and Smriti were dismissed in quick succession but by then India had the game in their bag, and skipper Harmanpreet Kaur and Richa Ghosh then took them home with time to spare.
Nahida Akter, Rabeya, and Ritu Moni picked up one wicket each for Bangladesh.
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