India stretches unbeaten run in Women?s Asia Cup to 17 matches as Bangladesh stuns Pakistan

India recorded its 17th straight win in Women’s Asia Cup when it defeated Sri Lanka by 29 runs while debutant Bangladesh stunned Pakistan by four wickets on the second day of the tournament in Sri Lanka on Saturday.

In Dambulla, captain Mithali Raj stroked a fine 54 and Priyanka Roy, in her first ODI, chipped in with a valuable 44 as India, electing to bat first, scored 227-8 in 50 overs. The two batsmen added 62 runs for the fourth wicket after India slumped to 98-3 after a 62-run first wicket start between Karu Jain (29) and Jaya Sharma (27).

Mithali’s 63-ball knock included nine boundaries while Priyanka hit four fours in a 67-ball knock.

For Sri Lanka, left-arm spinner Suwini de Alwis took 3-36while fast bowler Shashikala Siriwardene bagged 3-54.

In turn, Sri Lanka collapsed from 132-3 in 37 overs to be bowled out for 198 in 49.5 overs.

India fast bowler Rumeli Dhar returned impressive figures of 10-1-28-3 while off-spinner Pujare Seema made a promising debut by recording figures of 9-0-41-3. Experienced left-arm spinner Neetu David, who is returned to the side after reversing her retirement decision, alos bowled well and snapped up 2-33.

Sri Lanka opener Dedunu Silva batted well and top scored with 74. Her 87-ball innings included 12 fours and a six.

It was India’s 17th successive victory in Asia Cup. It won five matches each in the previous three events while started its quest for the fourth successive title with 182 runs victory over Bangladesh on Friday.

Bangladesh recovered quickly from Friday’s hammering when it recorded a shocking four wickets victory over Pakistan in Kurunegala.

Electing to bat first, Pakistan was bowled out for 134 in 47.4 overs with Bismah Maroof (29), Sana Mir (25) and Sajjida Shah (25) offering some resistance.

Off-spinner Tithy Sarkar was the most impressive Bangladesh bowler when she recorded figures of 9.4-3-25-4 while Salma Khatun bagged 2-18 and Shathira Jakir claimed 2-34.

Salma then excelled with the bat and single-handedly steered Bangladesh to a famous victory by scoring an unbeaten 53 that came off 92 balls and included six fours.

Pakistan bowlers, led by Sajjida Shah, reduced Bangladesh to 88-5 but Salma stood tall and thwarted Pakistan’s hopes of pulling off victory with a gutsy batting display. In a crucial sixth wicket partnership, Salma added 24 runs with Rumana Ahmed and put on 24 runs for the unbroken seventh wicket with Irin Sultana.

The action resumes on Monday after Sunday’s rest day with India facing Pakistan in Kurunegala and Sri Lanka taking on Bangladesh in Dambulla.

Scores in brief:

At Welagedara Stadium Kurunegala, Bangladesh beat Pakistan by four wicketsPakistan: 134 in 47.4 overs (Bismah Mahroof 29, Sana Mir 25, Sajidda Shah 25; Tithy Sarkar 4-25, Salma Khatun 2- 18, Shathira Jakir 2-34)
Bangladesh: 136-6 in 45.3 overs (Salma Khatun 53 not out; Sajjida Shah 2-19)

At Rangiri Dambulla Stadium, India beat Sri Lanka by 29 runs
India: 227-8 in 50 overs (Mithali Raj 54, Priyanka Roy44, Karu Jain 29, Jaya Sharma 27, Devika Palshikar 22 not out; Suwini de Alwis 3-36, Shashikala Siriwardene 3-54)
Sri Lanka: 198 in 49.5 overs (Dedunu Silva 74, Suwini de Alwis 25, Shashikala Siriwardene 24, Rumeli Dhar 3-28, Pujare Seema 3-41, Neetu David 2-35)

Fixtures for Monday:
India vs Pakistan at Welagedara Stadium Kurunegala; Sri Lanka vs Bangladesh at Rangiri Dambulla Stadium.