Australia opened its campaign in the ICC Women’s World Twenty20 on Thursday in style, beating India by eight wickets with 16 balls to spare in a Group A encounter at the Galle International Cricket Stadium. In the other Group A match earlier in the day England got the better of Pakistan by 43 runs. India captain Mithali Raj made a bold decision to bat first, and for the first six overs it looked like India did everything right. Poonam Raut top-scored with 21, scoring at a run-a-ball and hitting four boundaries. Later Mithali Raj and Harmanpreet Kaur added 25 runs for the third wicket. But the run-out of Raj proved to be India’s undoing. Earlier, England registered a decisive win over Pakistan by 43 runs in the first Group A encounter in Galle. England, who looked on track to post a total in excess of 150, was halted by the Pakistan spinners, going from 102 for no loss in 13 overs to 133 for 6 after 20. Pakistan skipper Sana Mir was the pick of the bowlers with figures of two for 20. Marsh raised her maiden T20I fifty in an opening stand of 102 in 13.1 overs, before being run out for 54. Facing only 41 deliveries, Marsh recorded the second best figures in the history of the ICC Women’s World Twenty20. Despite the ease with which she scored her 54, Marsh felt the pitch wasn’t the easiest to bat on. “Initially the ball was coming on to the bat, but, as the game progressed, the ball was stopping a bit, so the spinners were difficult to get away,” said Marsh. In reply, Pakistan’s batters did not get off to a good start, and the side lost three wickets in the first six overs. Right-hander Javeria Khan struck 23 off 20 balls, but there were no partnerships of note, and Pakistan was bowled out for 90 in the 20th over. Sana Mir said: “We did really well to restrict them to 133. I thought we could have applied ourselves better with the bat. Once we lose too many wickets at the start, it just puts immense pressure on the middle-order. Hopefully we will rectify our mistakes and look to win the remaining two games, we can only go up from here,” added Mir.
Scores: At GICS, England beat Pakistan by 43 runs, England 133-6, 20 overs (Laura Marsh 54, Charlotte Edwards 45; Sana Mir 2-20), Pakistan 90, 19.4 overs (Javeria Khan 23; Colvin 4-9, Hazell 2-19), Player of the Match – Laura Marsh (England), At GICS, Australia beat India by 8 wickets (with 16 balls remaining), India (Poonam Raut 21, Mithali Raj 18, Harmanpreet Kaur 18; Erin Osborne 3-13), Australia – 105-2, 20 overs (Meg Lanning 50, Jess Cameron 36, Alyssa Healy 21), Player of the Match – Erin Osborne (Australia).