Nigar fight ends in vain as Bangladesh lose 1st T20 against India

In the opening T20 match of the series held in Sylhet, the Bangladesh and India women's teams faced off. Despite the lone effort of Bangladesh captain Nigar Sultana Jyoti, the hosts tasted defeat by 45 runs. Winning the toss and opting to bat first, India scored 145 runs for the loss of 7 wickets in the allotted 20 overs. In response, Bangladesh managed to score 100 runs for the loss of 8 wickets in their 20 overs.

The Bangladesh team struggled throughout their run chase. Indian pacer Renuka Singh dismissed opener Dilara Khatun in the first over and later claimed 2 more wickets. Sobhana Mostari, batting at number three, returned to the pavilion after scoring just 6 runs. The other opener, Murshida Khatun, also did not last long, departing for 13 runs.

By the time the team score reached 30, Bangladesh had already lost 4 wickets. Nigar Sultana Jyoti was the only one holding one end, but she lacked support from the other batters. Swarna Akter spent some time at the crease supporting Jyoti and managed to score 11 runs before departing.

Nahida Akter contributed 9 runs. Bangladesh had lost 7 wickets for 99 runs by the 19th over. In the final over, captain Jyoti was bowled by Pooja Vastrakar after scoring 51 runs off 48 balls.

Eventually, Bangladesh finished their innings at 100 runs for the loss of 8 wickets.

Earlier, Bangladesh managed to strike early in the Indian innings. Left-arm pacer Fariha Trishna dismissed opener Smriti Mandhana for 9 runs. Shafali Verma and Yastika Bhatia then built a partnership, which ended at a team score of 68 runs when Rabeya Khan claimed Shafali for 31 runs.

Bhatia and captain Harmanpreet Kaur took the team's score past the hundred mark. Harmanpreet departed shortly after scoring 30 runs off 22 balls, becoming Fahima Khatun's victim. Bhatia was dismissed in the following over.

Rabeya Khan made her second victim of the innings. Bhatia, scoring the highest with 36 runs off 29 balls, played a crucial role. Richa Ghosh later contributed 23 runs to help increase the team's total. Ultimately, the Indian women's team finished with 145 runs for the loss of 7 wickets.

For Bangladesh, Rabeya Khan was the most successful bowler, taking 3 wickets, while Marufa Akter claimed 2 wickets.