India women beat Bangladesh by 72 runs

India women beat Bangladesh by 72 runs in the opening game of ICC Women’s World T20 at M Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bangalore. 

Batting first, India women posted their highest total of 163 for five in 20 overs, riding on M Raj and VR Vanitha's opening partnership of 62 runs and two late cameos by H Kaur and V Krishnamurthy. 

In reply, Bangladesh women struggled in their chase of 164 runs from the very beginning of their innings, and finally managed to post 91 for five in 20 overs.

Bangladesh opener Ayasha Rahman walked back to the pavillion in the fifth over, followed by Sanjida Islam in the seventh over after a slow start in their chase.

Sharmin Akhter got run out in the 10th over after scoring 21 off 27 balls, followed by allrounder Rumana Ahmed in the 13th over scoring 12.

Fahima Khatun and Nigar Sultana then made a brief partnership of 24 runs before Fahima departed in the 17th over. 

Earlier, India openers started strongly, posting 62 runs to the scoreboard within the first seven overs of the game.

However, Bangladesh women came back to the game, picking up wickets at regular intervals.

Bangladesh bowler Nahida Akhter brought the first breakthrough as she picked up VR Vanitha in the eighth over of the match.

In the following over, Bangladesh bowler Fahima Khatun picked up S Mandhana, followed by Rumana Ahmed picking up M Raj in the 14th over.

India batsman H Kaur hit a cameo scoring 40 off 29 balls before Rumana Ahmed picked her up in the 18th over.

Fahima Khatun then picked up AA Patil, her second wicket of the game, in the 19th over.

Another late cameo by Veda Krishnamurthy helped India post a challenging total of 163 in 20 overs as she scored 36 off 24 balls.

Earlier, Bangladesh skipper Jahanara Alam won the toss and opted to field first.