Asia women thrash Africa by 60 runs in Afro-Asian Cup Twenty20

Bangalore, Jun 5 (UNI) A superb bowling by medium pacers Rumeli Dhar (4/8) and Jhulan Goswami (3/8) powered Asia to a commanding 60-run win over Africa in the Twenty20 match for Afro-Asian Cup for Women held at M Chinnaswamy stadium here today.

After setting a challenging target of 106, the two Asian medium pacers struck in tandem from the very first over and never allowed Africa to recover. The visitors were bundled out for just 45 runs in 15 overs. The Assamee lass Julhan, considered as the fastest woman bowler in the world, struck in the very third ball claiming Margaret Banja's wicket. Thereafter wickets fell in a jiffy as Africa were reduced to a pathetic 6 for 30 by the marauding Indian duo.

Middle order batter Alicia Smith tried to stem the rot with a dogged unbeaten 23 scored off 27 balls with the help of two boundaries. However she ran out of partners as wickets continue to fall at the other end. None of batters other than Alicia could manage a double figure.

Priti Dimri, who mesmarised Africans with her leg spin, claimed 2 for just five runs to put an early end to Africa's innings.

Earlier, Asia made a challenging 105 with opener Sulakshana Naik producing a fighting knock of 31. Some lusty hitting by tailenders Kumarihami (22 n.o.) and Urooj Mumtaz 18 helped Asia go past the psychological barrier of three figures.

A hostile spell of medium pace bowling by left-handed Ashlyn Petro (3/16) and Milo Thandolwenkos (2/20) had put Asia in a tricky situation at 4/44 but the tailenders did the trick for the hosts.

Brief Scores: Asia XI 105/9 in 20 overs (Sulakshana Naik 31, Rumeli Dhar 14, Urooj Mumtaz Khan 18, PRCS Kumarihami 22, Ashlyn Petro 3/16, Milo Thandolwenkos 2/20) beat Africa XI 45 all out in 15 overs (Alicia Smith n.o., 23, Julan Goswami 3/8, Rumeli Dhar 4/8, Prithi Dimri 2/5, HASD Siriwardene 1/1).

UNI