1st T20I: Harmanpreet, Bowlers Shine as India Women Beat England by 5 Wickets

India's captain Harmanpreet hit 42 off 34, including the winning runs, in a tense run-chase against England in the first match of the women's T20I tri-series on Friday.

India women’s cricket team started their World T20 preparations on an emphatic note as they registered a clinical five-wicket win over England in the T20 tri-series opener at Manuka Oval, Canberra on Friday. Skipper Harmanpreet Kaur led from the front as she played a brilliant knock of unbeaten 42 following a fine bowling performance from the touring side.

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Chasing a tricky total of 148 to win versus England, Harmanpreet took the run chase deep after the Indian top order, including the 16-year-old Shafali Verma (30), Smriti Mandhana(15) and Jemimah Rodrigues (26) – squandered good starts.

Veda Krishnamurthy (7) and Taniya Bhatia (11) also failed to stay on the crease as England bowlers struck at regular intervals.

With six needed off the last over, the 30-year-old Harmanpreet smashed a towering six to take India to 150 for five and end the match in style with three balls to spare. Her innings was studded with five boundaries and a maximum.