NEW DELHI: Bangladesh off-spinner Sultana Khatun displayed a remarkable performance, claiming her career-best figures of 3/21 as India struggled to a below-par total of 95 for eight in the second T20I of their three-match series in Mirpur, Dhaka on Tuesday.
It turned out to be India's lowest total against Bangladesh in women's T20I cricket. Aiming for an unassailable 2-0 lead, India's captain Harmanpreet Kaur elected to bat first.
Initially, India had a promising start with Smriti Mandhana (13 off 13 balls) and Shafali Verma (19 off 14 balls) setting the tone.
However, from a comfortable position of 33 for no loss in 26 balls, India suffered a dramatic collapse, losing half of their team for a mere 58 runs in just 13.1 overs.
Sultana played a crucial role in this turnaround, dismissing both Shafali and Harmanpreet off consecutive deliveries, swinging the momentum in Bangladesh's favor.
The left-arm spinner, Nahida Akter (1/14), also contributed to India's collapse by claiming the prized wicket of Mandhana, who missed a slog sweep and was bowled in the process.
Sultana's magic continued in the following over when Shafali attempted an aggressive shot but could only find the fielder at mid-off.
Harmanpreet fell victim to a superb delivery that had extra bounce and turn, completely deceiving her and shattering her off-stump.
Jemimah played at snail's pace in a 21-ball eight before being dismissed by Rabeya Khan when she tried to break free but only to miss it completely to be stumped.
Brought in place of off-spinner Salma Khatun, leg-break bowler Fahima Khatun returned with 2/16, with key wickets of Yastika Bhatia (11) and Deepti Sharma (10) as India failed to get going.
Playing an unchanged side that beat Bangladesh by seven wickets in the opening T20I, India got off to a brisk start as Shafali made her intent clear in the very third over when she had three exquisitely timed boundaries to her credit.
The last was a beauty when the talented India opener hit Marufa straight down the ground, beyond the reach of the long-on fielder.
At the other end, Mandhana made it four boundaries in a row as India cruised to 29 for no loss in four overs.
(With PTI inputs)
