Malayali cricketer Asha shines in Women's T20 World Cup; India need 161 runs to win

DUBAI: Kerala's Asha Shobhana stole the show with a stellar bowling performance, helping India restrict New Zealand to 160/4 in the Women's T20 World Cup opener. Asha, who hails from Thiruvananthapuram, was extremely economical in the first three overs, giving away only 10 runs. However, she leaked 12 runs, including two boundaries, in the final over. The Kiwi openers struggled to read Asha's bowling, which was a significant factor in India's dominance.

Meanwhile, India needs 161 runs to win the match. New Zealand, batting first, scored 160 runs in 20 overs, losing four wickets. Captain Sophie Devine top-scored with an unbeaten 57 off 36 deliveries. Earlier, openers Suzie Bates (27 off 24) and Georgia Plimmer (34 off 23) provided New Zealand a solid start. Plimmer was dismissed off Asha's bowling, caught by Samrithi Mandhana.