Hamilton: Yastika Bhatia’s fifty and a four-fer by Sneh Rana helped India beat Bangladesh by 110 runs in the must-win league match on Tuesday and ensured that their ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup semifinals hopes stay alive. Bhatia (52) held one end throughout the middle overs before some late hitting by Rana (27) and Pooja Vastrakar (30 not out) took India to 229/7. The spinners put India in a commanding position, reducing Bangladesh to 69/5 after 25 overs. India opened the bowling with veteran fast bowler Jhulan Goswami and left-arm spinner Rajeshwari Gayakwad. Gayakwad got an early breakthrough, with Sharmin Akhter (5) caught at first slip. India again struck in the powerplay as Vastrakar trapped Fargana Hoque (0) in front of the stumps. India skipper Mithali Raj then operated with spinners at both ends on a slow track, which made Bangladesh’s run-scoring difficult. Rana removed Bangladesh captain Nigar Sultana (3) who holed out at mid-on. Poonam Yadav, who played her first match in the tournament, picked up one wicket as she dismissed opener Murshida Khatun (19). Lata Mondal (24), Salma Khatun (32) and Ritu Moni (16) chipped in but the asking task was too big for the middle and lower order and Bangladesh eventually folded for 119 inside 41 overs. Earlier, Shafali Verma (42) and Smriti Mandhana (30) got India off to a flying start, with the openers adding 74 together before the pendulum swung in Bangladesh’s direction on the final ball of the 15th over. Bangladesh bowlers picked up three wickets in five deliveries to slow down India, who elected to bat. Mandhana tamely hit Nahida Akter straight to Hoque towards the backward square leg. Ritu then got in on the act in the next over. While attempting to hit one out of the ground, Verma was stumped. India skipper Mithali gave a simple catch to Fahima Khatun at cover, leaving her team on 74/3. Bhatia along with Harmanpreet Kaur got into rebuilding, taking India over the 100-run mark. The plan, however, short-lived as Kaur (14) was run out at the non-striker’s end. Richa Ghosh and Bhatia then added 54 runs for the fifth wicket before Ghosh (26) was caught behind off the bowling of Aktar. Vastrakar (30 not out) and Rana (27) chipped in towards the end. Brief scores: India 229/7 in 50 overs (Yastika Bhatia 52, Shafali Verma 42; Ritu Moni 3/37) beat Bangladesh 119/10 in 40.3 overs (Salma Khatun 32; Sneh Rana 4/30, Jhulan Goswami 2/19) by 110 runs. UNI PN
