Joty puts batters in the dock

Bangladesh captain Nigar Sultana Joty expressed her disappointment over her team's poor batting performance following a seven-wicket defeat against India in the opening T20I of the three-match series at the Sher-e-Bangla National Stadium in Mirpur yesterday.

Bangladesh failed to put up a fighting total against their formidable opponents as lack of batting firepower resulted in the Tigresses managing only 114 runs for five wickets in full quota of 20 overs.

Joty was not ready to make inexperience as an excuse behind the batting failures despite the hosts having fielded a lot of new players.

"What I think was a case of lack of intent. When you play wearing a national jersey, you are experienced," said Joty.

The Bangladesh skipper also urged her players to work individually. "When a player gets a start, she should carry her innings; why would she get out after 25 runs? We have to think about our shot-selection and play according to the situation's demand," she added.

In the match, Smriti Mandhana (38) and captain Harmanpreet Kaur (54 not out) stitched a 70-run partnership for the third wicket after an early hiccup as the visitors cruised past Bangladesh's meagre total with 22 deliveries to spare.

The second T20I will take place at the same venue on July 11.