B’desh pip Indian Eves to win title

Indian women faced abject humiliation after Bangladesh beat the six-time champions by three wickets to win their maiden Asia Cup trophy here on Sunday.

The tournament turned out to be the most embarrassing for the 'Women in Blue' as they lost to the minnows twice inside a week.

Needing two off the last delivery of the match, Jahanara Alam hit rival skipper Harmanpreet Kaur towards deep mid-wicket and scampered home for a double to chase down a modest target of 113.

For India, it was Harmanpreet (56 off 42 balls, 2/19) and leg-spinner Poonam Yadav (4/9), who put up a semblance of fight as a below-par batting effort once again became their undoing.

India skipper Kaur agreed that the batters let the team down.

"It was a pressure game and we have to control our nerves. We had to bat according to the situation. The batswomen did not handle the nerves. Credit goes to Bangladesh. They were excellent  in all departments of the game," Harmanpreet, who was adjudged Player of the Tournament, said.

Had it not been for Harmanpreet's innings, India who had slumped to 62 for 5, would have been shot out for less than 100.

Chasing a modest total, spinners Poonam and Ekta Bisht (0/13 in 4 overs) did try to bring India back in the match but middle-order batswomen Nigar Sultana (27 off 24 balls)  and Rumana Ahmed (23 off 22 balls) were the ones instrumental in Bangladesh's successful chase.