Women's Asia Cup 2018: Harmanpreet Kaur Guides India to Thumping Win over Thailand

Indian Women’s Cricket team extended their lead at the top of the table in the Women’s Asia Cup 2018, as they beat Thailand by 66 runs banking on skipper Harmanpreet Kaur’s all-around effort in the second league game at Kuala Lumpur.

Meanwhile, India went with an unusual opening pair leaving out Mithali Raj, who struck an unbeaten 97 in the last game.

Smriti Mandhana and Mona Meshram went out to open the inning after Thailand opted to bowl first.

Although the duo got a slow start, they kept the scoreboard ticking. India were at 27 for no loss at the end of the powerplay overs. While Mandhana got her form back, Meshram tried to cash in on the opportunity.

However, Thailand drew first blood in the 10th over, as Mandhana (29) tried to break the shackles. She struck two sixes of Thailand skipper, Sornnarin Tipooch before getting out in the next over. Veda Krishnamurthy, who came in at one drop failed to capitalise on the opportunity.

Further, Thailand stormed back to the game with two wickets in the 14th over to reduce India to 77 for three.

Meshram (32) and Veda (11) failed to bat till the end despite getting set. Skipper Harmanpreet Kaur then partnered with Anuja Patil to post a challenging score on the board.

The pair added 49 quick runs, as they smashed the ball to all parts of the ground. While Patil (22) departed in the last over, Kaur’s unbeaten guided India to 132 runs at the halfway mark.

In reply, however, it was all Indian bowlers, who dominated the proceedings. They bowled decent line and length, as Thailand managed to score only 14 runs at the end of the powerplays.

Meanwhile, the skipper decided to roll her hands and got a crucial breakthrough on the last ball of the over. Moreover, she was on a hattrick removing Ratanaporn Padunglerd on the first ball of her second over. However, the opponent denied Harmanpreet the hattrick defending the ball.

With 88 runs needed off the last five, there were no hopes left for Thailand. They managed to score 66 runs at the end of their full quota with Kaur returning with three for 11.

As a result, India defeated Thailand by 66 runs to extend the lead at the top of the table.

Brief Score: India 132/4 (Meshram 32, Liengprasert 2/16) beat Thailand 66/8 (Boochatham 21, Harmanpreet 3/11)

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