In Match 23 of the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup in Manchester on Thursday, opener Shafali Verma scored a brilliant half-century as India pursued a target of 137 with 19 balls remaining to beat Bangladesh by five wickets.

India began aggressively and never let Bangladesh’s bowlers get comfortable while pursuing a small goal. Shafali led the charge from the very first over, hitting two boundaries off Marufa Akter to collect 11 runs and give India the ideal start.

India’s scoring rate increased quickly after the opener maintained her attack in the following over by hitting another boundary and a massive six. Smriti Mandhana also looked to attack at the other end and scored two consecutive boundaries off Marufa. Nevertheless, her short stay was over when Rabeya Khan caught her at eight for six balls at cover.

The loss of an early wicket had little impact on India. While Yastika Bhatia swiftly settled down and rotated the strike efficiently, Shafali continued to locate the border on a consistent basis.

The duo dominated the Powerplay, punishing anything loose and keeping Bangladesh under constant pressure. Following six overs, India had the greatest Powerplay score in the history of the Women’s T20 World Cup, reaching 63/1. The prior record was 59, which was established against the Netherlands previously in the competition.

During the seventh over, Shafali reached her half-century off just 29 balls. She has exhibited destructive form throughout the tournament, and it was the second-fastest fifty by an Indian batsman in the Women’s T20 World Cup history.

Her innings came to an unusually early end in the ninth over, just as she appeared to be on track for an even greater total. Shafali stepped out of her crease and was stumped by the wicketkeeper after missing a delivery. After a great 53 off 34 balls with eight fours and a six, she went back.

India had already established a firm grip on the chase when she was dismissed.

Richa Ghosh and Yastika then concentrated on keeping up the momentum. India aimed to end the game swiftly and improve their net run rate, therefore Richa attacked with two boundaries in the 11th over.

Spinners from Bangladesh had some success. Yastika was out in the 12th over after scoring a valuable 23 runs from 18 balls with three boundaries. Richa Ghosh was leg-before wicket for 10 by Rabeya Khan in the next over.

India’s advancement was momentarily hampered by the wickets. Bangladesh tried to put pressure with a few tight overs, and Jemimah Rodrigues and captain Harmanpreet Kaur spent some time settling in.

Jemimah ultimately got away in the 16th over with a six before scoring more runs to get India close to winning. Before being dismissed for 26 runs off 15 deliveries, she nearly completed the chase on her own, scoring back-to-back fours in the subsequent over. Three fours and one six were included in her amusing knock.

As India reached the objective in 16. 5 overs to win by five wickets with ease, Harmanpreet Kaur and Deepti Sharma completed the formalities, needing only a few runs.

Bangladesh was asked to set the pace with the bat before scoring 136/8. Valuable contributions from opener Juairiya Ferdous and skipper Nigar Sultana formed the basis of their innings.

After losing Dilara Akter to Renuka Singh Thakur for four in the second over, Bangladesh bounced back with a 51-run stand between Sobhana Mostary and Ferdous. During her 33-run stint, Ferdous assumed a more attacking position and hit five boundaries, while Mostary contributed 22 off 26 deliveries.

During the innings, India’s fielders wasted numerous opportunities, allowing Bangladesh to create partnerships and maintain a consistent scoring rate.

Nigar Sultana was removed, and she maintained the innings with a outstanding late acceleration. Four boundaries were hit in one over by the Bangladesh captain against Nandini Sharma, and he ended with 32 runs in 24 balls. Nonetheless, her removal in the 17th over was a turning point since Bangladesh lost steam in the final innings.

The most successful bowler for India was Radha Yadav, who took 3/28 and broke key partnerships during the game. One wicket each was taken by Renuka Singh Thakur and Nandini Sharma.

With a 2/24 score, Shree Charani, who had previously excelled in the death overs, took two wickets in the last over. She now has 12 wickets in the competition, making her the first Indian woman to take 12 wickets in a single Women’s T20 World Cup edition, beating Poonam Yadav’s previous national record of 10 wickets.

Brief scores:
Bangladesh 136/8 in 20 overs (Juairiya Ferdous 33, Nigar Sultana 32; Radha Yadav 3-28, Shree Charani 2-21)
India 139/5 in 16.5 overs (Shafali Verma 53, Jemimah Rodrigues 26, Yastika Bhatia 23; Ritu Moni 2-29, Rabeya Khan 1-19)