The 12th match of the Women’s T20 World Cup 2024 was played between India and Sri Lanka. This match between the two teams took place at the Dubai International Stadium. In this match, India’s Smriti Mandhana and captain Harmanpreet Kaur scored strong half-centuries. Also, on the basis of Shefali Verma’s play, India scored 172 runs in 20 overs. After this, India easily defeated Sri Lanka on the basis of excellent bowling and fielding and won the match by 82 runs.

by Harmanpreet Kaur Credit to Shefali Verma and Gave it to Smriti Mandhana.

The opening pair of Shefali and Smriti gave India a solid start in the do-or-die match by adding 98 runs in 12.4 overs. Smriti was the more aggressive of the two openers and scored a quick half-century in 38 balls with the help of four fours and a six.

Shefali also showed glimpses of her excellent batting. This right-handed female batsman scored 43 runs in 40 balls with the help of four fours and batted at a strike rate of 107.50.

India’s opening batsmen took their time in the beginning and then attacked the Sri Lankan bowlers fiercely. During the powerplay, Smriti was having trouble timing the ball, but when her partner at the other end started taking advantage of the opportunities to score runs, she got into the rhythm.

Captain Harmanpreet Kaur gave statement on the team’s victory

Harmanpreet said after the match, “We just wanted to play in the same rhythm, Shefali and Smriti gave us a good start. The credit for victory goes to him. She was present on the pitch, acted intelligently and did not lose the wicket.”

It is noteworthy that Harmanpreet played a stormy inning of 52* runs in just 27 balls and created a new record for the all-time fastest half-century made by an Indian in the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup and she was awarded Player of the Match for her brilliant innings. Also received an award.

The record for the fastest half-century by an Indian in the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup was previously held by Smriti. Smriti scored a half-century in 31 balls against Australia in the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup in 2018. But, Harmanpreet broke Smriti’s record by scoring a half-century in 27 balls in Dubai and registered her name in the pages of history.

Describing his innings, the Indian captain said

“Jamie and I, we just wanted to score seven-eight runs per over. It was one of those days where I was in my zone, whenever the ball was in my zone, I played hard. I was just thinking about positive things. This wicket was not good for batting, you have to keep rotating the strike. Once the ball is in your area you can advance on it. It is not that you can keep swinging the bat. We were there and we didn’t lose the wicket. Really happy for the team.”