New Delhi: Richa Ghosh and Harmanpreet Kaur slammed half-centuries apiece as India hammered UAE by 78 runs in their second group-stage clash at the Rangiri Dambulla International Stadium in Dambulla to bag their second win in a row in the Women’s Asia Cup 2024. After thrashing Pakistan in their opener, it was yet another dominant performance from Harmanpreet & Co. as they swept aside UAE.
Asked to bat first, India grabbed the opportunity with both hands as Harmanpreet and Richa took the UAE bowlers to the cleaners en route to a brilliant stand of 75 runs for the 5th wicket. After a solid start from opener Shafali Verma, who scored a quickfire 37 off 18 balls, India lost quick wickets in the middle and were reduced to 106/4 in the 12th over.
However, Harmanpreet and Richa combined to get India’s innings back on track with fireworks from both ends. Harmanpreet top-scored with 66 off 47 balls laced with 7 fours and a six while Richa stole the show with her scintillating knock of unbeaten 64 off just 29 balls.
Richa Ghosh scripts history
It was Richa’s maiden half-century in T20Is for India which saw her script history as she became the first Indian wicket-keeper batter to notch up a fifty in the Women’s Asia Cup history. No Indian wicket-keeper batter had managed to achieve the feat for India in the tournament in the past.
Her blazing 29-ball 64 also helped India cross the 200-run mark for the first time in T20Is as the Women in Blue posted a mammoth total of 201/5 in 20 overs. India surpassed their previous best of 198/4 which came in a T20I against England at the Braboune Stadium in Mumbai in 2018.
Ghosh was the aggressor in the partnership right from the start and didn’t let the UAE bowlers settle in after India lost quick wickets in the middle. She played her shots across all parts of the ground to notch up a memorable knock which saw India post a record total on the board.
UAE crumble in run chase
In reply, UAE were restricted to 123/7 in 20 overs as they suffered a huge defeat against the reigning champions. Pacer Renuka Thakur struck in the 5th over to draw the first blood for India in the form of opener Theertha Satish, who was dismissed cheaply on just 4 off 12 balls. Pooja Vastrakar then got rid of Rinitha Rajith in the next over to put India in front.
UAE kept losing wickets at regular intervals after the poor start and failed to recover as they eventually succumbed in the run chase. Middle-order batter Kavisha Egodage top-scored for UAE with an unbeaten 40 off 32 balls while others around her failed to deliver as India cruised to a comfortable win. India will next take on Nepal in their group-stage clash and will hope to keep their winning run intact in the Asia Cup 2024.
Richa Ghosh and Harmanpreet Kaur slammed half-centuries apiece to help India thrash UAE by 78 runs and continue their winning run in the Women’s Asia Cup 2024. Cricket Sports News: Latest Cricket News, Cricket Live Score, Sports Breaking News from Sports Today
