India women thump Bangladesh to storm into World Cup

Opting to bowl after winning the toss in the Super Six game of the ongoing ICC Women’s World Cup Qualifier, Indian eves first restricted Bangladesh women to a paltry 155 for eight in 50 overs and then chased down the target, reaching 158 for one in 33.3 overs to book a berth in the main event to be held in England in June. 

The chase turned out to be a cakewalk for Indian eves with opener Mona Meshram (78 not out off 91 balls) and skipper Mithali Raj (73 not out off 87 balls) hitting fluent fifties to get over the target with consummate ease. However, India didn’t have the best of starts to their chase losing Deepti Sharma early on. She was caught off her own bowling by right-arm off-spinner Khadija Tul Kubra. But then came in Mithali, world’s second-highest run-getter in women’s cricket, and she and Mona hit 22 fours between them to leave Bangladesh in dissaray.

Brief scores: Bangladesh 155/8 in 50 overs (F Hoque 50, M Joshi 3/25) lost to India 158/1 in 33.3 overs (M Mesharam 78*, M Raj 73*)