END OF OVER:19 | 3 Runs 2 Wkts | IND-W: 102/10 (59 runs required from 6 balls, RR: 5.36, RRR: 59.00)
- Asha Sobhana6 (10b)
- Rosemary Mair4-0-19-4
- Amelia Kerr4-0-19-1
9.30pm: Time to hear from the captains, starting with Harmanpreet Kaur: "We didn't play our best cricket. Going forward we know every game is important. We created chances but we were not able to avail those chances. They played better cricket than us, no doubt about that. Fielding we made some mistakes so that is a learning for us going forward. [Target] We have chased many times 160-170, we were expecting that on the board. While batting, we knew someone had to bat through but we kept losing wickets. [Pakistan next] We know this group is capable of better, this wasn't the start we were expecting but we have to go from here."
Devine is up again: "I'm really proud of this group. People have been speaking about our recent results, coming out against a world-class side like India, to produce that performance I'm overwhelmed. We've been targeting this game for a long time. To come out and lay a marker [is great], but we've got a long way to go in the tournament. We've had some good starts in the powerplay from Georgia and Suzie. They showed great intent. Then to finish off the innings was really important, Brooke Halliday and Maddy Green played valuable hands. We were probably 10 over par, but we know how powerful their line-up is. We spoke about making batters play their most difficult shots, and the bowlers really delivered. [Australia] We know them too well. Always a great challenge, being able to play in these conditions levels the playing field a bit. We'll take great confidence, they're the games you want to play. Licking our lips to get stuck in."
Okay, that's a wrap for tonight, peeps. Srinidhi's report will be in the slot shortly, and we'll be back for another double-header tomorrow, as England and holders Australia get their campaigns underway in Sharjah. See ya!
9.22pm: Sophie Devine backed her side to come good, despite recent struggles, and they've done so in style at the Dubai International Stadium. The White Ferns were white hot, Devine leading from the front as they ransacked their way to 160 for 4, then marshalling her bowling attack brilliantly to dismantle the chase. India were caught cold and now find themselves up against it in the Group of Death
Sophie Devine is Player of the Match: "Thought the platform at the top of the innings from Suzie Bates and Georgia Plimmer set the tone. Me and Melie [Kerr] were maybe a bit slow through overs 7-12 but we were able to go hard at the back end. It was tough work out there, pace off and trying to find the gaps. [Innings] A bit scratchy to start with. Just really happy to contribute. We've worked so hard over the last six months, nice to see the team get their reward."
Renuka Singh c Devine b Mair 0 (1m 1b 0x4 0x6) SR: 0.00
"Even Katy Martin, former NZ wicket keeper turned commentator, says this is a surprise." It's definitely that, Tautoru. NZ had lost 10 T20Is in a row before today!
SR Patil c sub (MM Penfold) b Mair 7 (15m 13b 1x4 0x6) SR: 53.84
Srini: "@Ed - India will actually struggle to stay alive in the tournament. Very early in the tournament we might know that India's campaign is done, nevertheless the mathematical probabilities. Only chance from here is if they beat Aus"
Last two, the result academic. Mair is back
END OF OVER:18 | 5 Runs | IND-W: 99/8 (62 runs required from 12 balls, RR: 5.50, RRR: 31.00)
- Shreyanka Patil6 (10b)
- Asha Sobhana4 (8b)
- Amelia Kerr4-0-19-1
- Lea Tahuhu4-0-15-3
END OF OVER:17 | 3 Runs | IND-W: 94/8 (67 runs required from 18 balls, RR: 5.52, RRR: 22.33)
- Shreyanka Patil2 (5b)
- Asha Sobhana3 (7b)
- Lea Tahuhu4-0-15-3
- Amelia Kerr3-0-14-1
Tahuhu to finish her allocation
"Will India struggle to qualify now?" A thumping loss certainly won't help in a group that also includes Australia, Ed
END OF OVER:16 | 3 Runs 1 Wkt | IND-W: 91/8 (70 runs required from 24 balls, RR: 5.68, RRR: 17.50)
- Asha Sobhana1 (3b)
- Shreyanka Patil1 (3b)
- Amelia Kerr3-0-14-1
- Lea Tahuhu3-0-12-3
Asha Sobhana is next batter
P Vastrakar b AC Kerr 8 (12m 7b 1x4 0x6) SR: 114.28
"India's tournament has got over even before it has started!!!" wails Machakaari. "Shocking display to say the least !!!"