IND-W v MAL-W Asia Cup 2022: India registers effortless victory by D/L method

New Delhi: After resting Smriti Mandhana, Renuka Thakur, Sneh Rana and Pooja Vastrakar, Indian openers posted a 116-run stand to put India into a comfortable position. Chasing 182 runs, Malaysia stood at 16/2 after 5.2 overs when the rain stopped the play and India was declared the winner with the D/L method. Sabbhineni Meghana announced herself back in form with a cracking 69 off 53 balls. 

Meghana opened the batting with Shafali Verma and posted a century stand. Shafali, who looked out of touch before the game, scored 46 off 39 balls. After dismissing Shafali, Nur Dania Syuhada picked up KP Navgire on the next ball. Radha Yadav was dismissed in the last over and Dayalan Hemalatha hit a four and a six to end the inning. Richa Ghosh went to the dugout happy after hitting 33*off 19 at number 3. India took it more like a practice game as Jemimah Rodrigues and Harmanpreet Kaur did not walk in to bat, rather Richa played at number 3 followed by Navgire, Radha Yadav and Hemalatha. 

Malaysian captain Winifred Duraisingam was given lbw in the first over, while there was a thick inside edge. Deepti turned the ball and it edged to go into the hands of the keeper. It was poor umpiring for sure. Rajeshwari Gayakwad dismissed Wan Julia to lead Malaysia to 6/2. India aimed at bowling the first five overs quickly as the rain was expected. Harmanpreet Kaur used the spinners to get done with the first five overs and as it rained, the play was stopped and India won the game comfortably. Sabbhineni Meghana was named the Player of the Match. 

India, having won the first two games, will now face UAE on October 4. Playing two games in two days is never easy, giving rest was surely the right call as the players are ex[ected to come back fresh and register a win in the third game too.