India women's national cricket team secured a comfortable seven-wicket win over Bangladesh in their first Twenty20 international of the three-match series in Mirpur's Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium Sunday.
Chasing 115 to win, India reached their target in 16.2 overs losing just three wickets.
Bangladesh made a good start defending the small target as pacer Marufa Akhter bowled a superb opening over.
Marufa bowled a maiden-wicket over as she took the wicket of Shafali Verma in the third ball of the innings.
India also lost the wicket of Jemimah Rodrigues (11) in the last ball of the fourth over when 21 runs were on the scoreboard.
But two experienced campaigners Smriti Mandhana and skipper Harmanpreet Kaur bult a solid 70-run partnership for the third wicket to take control of the chase.
Mandhana got out in the 14th over after scoring 38 off 34 with five boundaries.
But captain Harmanpreet remained unbeaten till the end and completed a dominating half century of 54 off 35 with six fours and two sixes to seal the victory for India.
Sultana Khatun picked two wickets for Bangladesh conceding 25 runs.
Earlier, Bangladesh top-order made a promising start after being asked to bat first but Shathi Rani (22), Shamima Sultana (17) and Sobhana Mostary (23) all got out and were not able to score big.
Captain Nigar Sultana Joty's (two) run out in the 11th over was crucial for Bangladesh as they lost the plot in the middle overs to score a challenging total close to 150 despite having a decent start at the powerplay.
Shorna Akhter made a run a ball 28 in the late stage of Bangladesh innings with two sixes but a 115-run target against a strong Indian batting line-up was not enough.
The second match of the series will be played Tuesday at the same venue.
1ST T20I
Bangladesh women 114/5 (Shorna 28, Sobhana 23) lost to India women 118/3 in 16.2 overs (Kaur 54*, Mandhana 38) by seven wickets