India defeated Bangladesh in Hamilton to keep their semi-final chances alive. India’s 110-run victory at Seddon Park was set up by half-centurion Yastika Bhatia’s all-around efforts, as well as those of Sneh Rana and Pooja Vastrakar.
The victory also greatly increased their net run rate and pushed debutants Bangladesh farther away from league-stage elimination.
Story of the match
Spinner Sneh Rana, who finished with a four-wicket haul, proved too strong for Bangladesh’s batters. Bangladesh, chasing 230 runs for victory, never got going and were all out for 119 runs in 40.3 overs. With 32 runs, Salma Khatun was their leading scorer.
Opting to bat early, the Mithali-Raj side got off to a good start, with Shafali and Smriti Mandhana doing their jobs admirably. India finished at 229/7 in 50 overs against Bangladesh in Hamilton, owing to a 50-run performance from Yastika Bhatia and cameos from Shafali Verma and Richa Ghosh.
However, Bangladesh struck back with three quick wickets of Smriti Mandhana, Shafali Verma, and Mithali Raj to put India on the backfoot. India also lost Harmanpreet and Richa Ghosh, but Yastika Bhatia stayed tall and hit a magnificent fifty to help India to a reasonable total in the end.
At no point did Bangladesh appear to challenge the Indian offensive realistically. Murshida Khatun, who hit Bangladesh’s first six in ODI World Cup history off Jhulan Goswami, and veteran Salma Khatun, on the other hand, oozed tenacity.
Former captain No. 7 Khatun hit a 35-ball 32 to anchor a 40-run sixth-wicket stand with Lata Mondal.
11th. Jahanara Alam eked out a run-a-ball 11 before being yorked by Goswami. Bangladesh was bowled out for the lowest score in World Cup history, and India won their third match of the tournament.
India’s qualification scenario:
on Monday, Pakistan ended an 18-match losing record at the World Cup defeating West Indies by eight wickets in a rain-shortened encounter. It was Pakistan’s first World Cup victory since 2009 when they defeated the same opponent.
With this win, Pakistan provided a huge favor for India, who have been resurrected and are on the verge of clinching a semi-final position following a decisive 110-run victory over Bangladesh.
This emphatic win over Bangladesh has put India in the third spot on the points table.
India (+0.768) has played six games, won three, and lost three. They have six points in six matches and are tied with the West Indies (-0.885), but the Mithali Raj-led team has a stronger Net Run Rate.
If South Africa, who have still to play their sixth game, defeats the West Indies on Thursday, India will automatically take fourth place. On March 27, India will play their final group encounter against South Africa.
