KUALA LUMPUR, Jan 19: Indian bowlers shot a clueless West Indies batters out for a measly 44 to set up a commanding nine-wicket win to begin their title defence on a resounding note in the women’s U-19 World Cup here on Sunday.
Left-arm spinners Parunika Sisodia (3/7) and Aayushi Shukla (2/6) as well as pacer VJ Joshitha (2/6) toyed with the West Indies batters to bowl the Caribbeans out in just 13.2 overs in the Group A match at Bayuemas Oval.
Kenika Cassar top-scored for the West Indies with a 29-ball 15 while opener Asabi Callender contributed 12. All the other West Indies batters could score in single digit figures with five of them getting out without opening account.
India chased down the target of 45 in just 4.2 overs, reaching 47 for 1 with opener Trisha G getting out for 4 on the second ball off Jahzara Claxton.
Wicketkeeper-batter G Kamalini (16 not out off 13 balls) and Sanika Chalke (18 not out off 11 balls) took India home for an easy win.
India play hosts Malaysia in their next group match here on Tuesday. Sri Lanka is the other team in Group A.
The top three teams from each of the four groups will progress to the Super Six stage, with the three teams from Group A and Group D combining to form one Super Six group and similarly with the top three teams of Group B and Group C in the other group.The teams will also carry forward their points and net run rates and will play the two sides who were not in their group in the first stage and who finished at a different position from them.
As an example, if India finish second in Group A, then they will play the winner and the third-place team of Group D.
The top two teams from each Super Six group will progress to the semi-finals. The final will be played here on February 2.
SRI LANKA THRASH HOSTS MALAYSIA
Sri Lanka got their 2025 ICC U19 Women’s T20 World Cup campaign off to a winning start as they thrashed hosts and tournament debutants Malaysia by 139 runs at Bayuemas Oval on Sunday.Pushed into batting first, Dahami Sanethma top-scored with 55 off 52 balls, laced with five boundaries, as Sri Lanka made 162/6. In reply, Chamudi Praboda took 3-5, including bowling two maidens to have Malaysia bowled out for just 23. Sri Lanka started their innings on a high as Sajana Kavindi blasted 30 off 13 balls, including six fours.
In reply, Nur Aliya scored Malaysia’s first World Cup run, but from there Sri Lanka took control.Quickly, Malaysia were reduced to 17/6 in the ninth over and were eventually bowled out for 23 to see their first match of the World Cup end in defeat, as Sri Lanka completed a very dominant victory on day two of the competition. (Agencies)