Bangladesh created history after beating India by three wickets in the final of the Women's Asia Cup T20I 2018 in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia Sunday.
Chasing 113 runs, Bangladesh reached the destination in their allotted 20 overs, middle-order batter Nigar Sultana top-scoring for her side with 27. ODI captain Rumana Ahmed chipped in with 22.
India's Poonam Yadav bagged four wickets while skipper Harmanpreet Kaur picked up two.
Earlier, India were restricted to 112 for the loss of nine wickets in their stipulated 20 overs. Kaur scored the highest 56.
Bangladesh's Khadija-tul Kubra and Rumana took two wickets each while seamer Jahanara Alam and T20I captain Salma Khatun notched one apiece.
Bangladesh beat India by 3 wickets to clinch the title of Women's Asia Cup 2018. #BANvIND pic.twitter.com/oPNtqicLjI
— Bangladesh Cricket (@BCBtigers) June 10, 2018
Bangladesh earlier won the toss and decided to field first.
In the process, Bangladesh scripted a brilliant turnaround after losing their first game in the round robin league campaign against Sri Lanka.
The women in red and green went on to defeat six-time winner India, Pakistan, Thailand and Malaysia to qualify for the final.
Both India and Bangladesh finished their round robin league campaign with eight points each from five matches but the former edged ahead courtesy superior net run rate.
Bangladesh not only ended India's 34-match unbeaten run in the regional competition in the round robin league but also became only the second side to clinch the Asia Cup title.
2 needed from the last ball and Jahanara Alam keeps her nerve to clinch victory for Bangladesh!
— AsianCricketCouncil (@ACCMedia1) June 10, 2018
Nigar Sultana Joty top scored with 27 (from 24 balls,4x4)
Rumana Ahmed- 23 (from 22 balls, 1x4)
Poonam Yadav with figures of 4/9 in her 4 overs for India. #INDvsBAN #WAC2018 #ACC pic.twitter.com/pRjlzqmCuq
BRIEF SCORE
Bangladesh 113/7 (Nigar 27, Poonam 4/9) beat India 112/9 (Kaur 56, Rumana 2/22) by three wickets
WHAT THEY SAID
Habibul Bashar
They made us proud no doubt. This is the first major trophy for us, in both the male and female arena. I hope this is the start of a revolution in women’s cricket in Bangladesh. To be honest, we do not have many women cricketers in our country, like it was once with the men’s team. We had a turnaround after Bangladesh first played the World Cup in 1999. More and more youngsters started playing cricket. I hope the same happens with the girls. I hope the parents will be encouraged to allow their girls to take up this game and play it with heart. I wish the Bangladesh women’s team well and send them a big congratulation.
Liton Das
The achievement is historic for us. Thanks to the women’s team for giving us the feeling of being a champion nation. We all were at practice at Mirpur Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium in Dhaka when the game was taking place. We were glued to the TV for the last over. It was sensational. I hope this is the start of better days for them. I also hope they bring more occasions like this.
Soumya Sarkar
The moment is a proud one for us. This is the first time the girls won something, and that has come at the Asia Cup. They have won a big title, whereas the boys have won none till date, despite all the facilities. They must feel great about this, and I am thankful to them for giving the nation a big occasion to celebrate.
Tamim Iqbal
This is a massive achievement, and as good as any of our (men’s) achievement. Every team need a start to achieve something big but everyone should keep in mind – the supporters and the women’s team as well – you will not get the same success in all tournaments or series. Expecting that will put unnecessary pressure on them. They are capable, and have shown that, but winning or losing is part of the game. Hope they will be competitive against the opponents in the coming days and produce good results.
ROAD TO TITLE
• Lost to Sri Lanka by six wickets
• Beat Pakistan by seven wickets
• Beat India by seven wickets
• Beat Thailand by nine wickets
• Beat Malaysia by 70 runs
TOP RUN-SCORERS
Player Inns Runs HS Ave SR
Harmanpreet Kaur (IND) 4 156 56 52 101.96
Shamima Sultana (BD) 4 80 33 20 103.89
Bismah Maroof (PAK) 3 75 60* 37.5 131.57
Rumana Ahmed (BD) 3 75 42* 37.5 91.46
Yasoda Mendis (SL) 3 72 27 24 75
TOP WICKET-TAKERS
Player Inns Wkts BBI Ave ER
Poonam Yadav (IND) 4 7 4/9 9.14 4
Rumana Ahmed (BD) 4 6 3/21 9.83 4.72
Nida Dar (PAK) 3 6 5/21 10.66 5.4
Ekta Bisht (IND) 3 5 3/14 9.4 3.91
Sugandika Kumari (SL) 3 5 3/17 11.2 4.66
