Niki Prasad’s calm leadership guides India to U19 Women’s Asia Cup title
Xtra Time Web Desk: India’s Under-19 women’s cricket team etched their name in history by winning the inaugural edition of the Women’s Asia Cup 2024, defeating Bangladesh by 41 runs in the final at the Bayuemas Oval in Kuala Lumpur. Skipper Niki Prasad acknowledged that the team fell short by around 20 runs but credited the bowlers for stepping up under pressure to secure the title.
Opting to bat first, India posted a modest total of 117 for seven, thanks to Gongadi Trisha’s fighting half-century and Mithila Vinod’s late flourish. Trisha, who was a key performer in India’s Women’s T20 World Cup victory in South Africa last year, scored 52 off 47 balls, hitting five boundaries and two sixes. Mithila chipped in with a quick 17 off 12 deliveries to push India past the 100-run mark.
For Bangladesh, Farjana Easmin was the standout bowler, returning impressive figures of 4-0-31-4. Nishita Akter Nishi also made her presence felt, picking up two crucial wickets to keep the Indian batters in check.
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— BCCI Women (@BCCIWomen) December 22, 2024
Scoreboard ▶️ https://t.co/uREtAlBiiq#TeamIndia | #ACC | #ACCWomensU19AsiaCup | #Final pic.twitter.com/WkSP8KBDmm
Chasing 118, Bangladesh’s innings never gained momentum as India’s bowlers struck at regular intervals. Aayushi Shukla emerged as the wrecker-in-chief, bagging 3 wickets for 17 runs in 3.3 overs. Sonam Yadav and Parunika Sisodia supported her well, claiming two wickets each.
Bangladesh openers Mosammat Eva and Sumaiya Akhter fell cheaply, while Fahomida Choya and Juairiya Ferdous offered brief resistance with scores of 18 and 22, respectively. However, a middle-order collapse saw Bangladesh lose seven wickets for just 21 runs in 40 deliveries, folding for 76 in 18.3 overs.
Reflecting on the win, skipper Niki Prasad highlighted the team’s composure during tense moments and praised the bowlers and fielders for their spirited performance.
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“We felt we were a few runs short, maybe 20 runs short, but scoring 117 on this wicket is good. But we knew that we had a good bowling side and would bowl well. We were trying to stay in the game, have that intent, body language and our bowlers and fielders did a fantastic job,” Prasad said in the post-match ceremony.
Prasad also lauded Trisha’s all-round show, calling her India’s “mystery bowler” after she bowled three tight overs for just 10 runs.
“The way G Trisha has batted, it was fabulous. I liked the approach we had, and we batted really well. She is also our mystery bowler, and she bowled really well,” Prasad added.
With the Asia Cup title in their kitty, India will now shift focus to defending their crown in the Under-19 Women’s T20 World Cup, scheduled in Malaysia from January 18 to February 2.
