India’s preparation for the ICC women's T20 World Cup 2020 seems to be on the right track as they registered a nervy two-run win over West Indies in a warm-up match on Tuesday (February 18).

Opting to bat first, the Women in Blue posted only 107/8 in 20 overs. India’s batting unit failed to impress as none of them managed to touch the 30-run mark. Shikha Pandey was the top-scorer with 24 not out off 16 balls.   

Anisa Mohammed (2/16) and Shamilia Connell (2/20) were the pick of the bowlers for West Indies. Kipper Stafanie Taylor (1/13), Aaliyah Alleyne (1/9), Chinelle Henry (1/14) and Afy Fletcher (1/26) also chipped in with wicket apiece.

Defending the paltry total, India restricted West Indies to 105/7 in 20 overs with Poonam Yadav doing the bulk of the damage, claiming 3 for 20 in her stipulated four overs.

West Indies were comfortably placed at 57/1 in 13 overs when Deepti Sharma cleaned up opener Lee-Ann Kirby (42) to trigger a collapse. Soon Taylor (16), Chedean Nation (0) and Deandra Dottin (1) were back in the hut as 2016 World T20 champions slipped to 67/5 in the 17th over.

Subsequently, Hayley Matthews (25 off 21 balls) and Chinelle Henry (17 off 10 balls) brought West Indies back in the contest with a 37-run stand but they failed to take their team over the finishing line.

West Indies needed three runs off the last ball but Poonam dismissed the dangerous Henry to ensure India’s victory.

Brief Scores:

India Women 107/8 in 20 overs (Shikha Pandey 24*; Anisa Mohammed 2/16) defeated West Indies Women 105/7 in 20 overs (Lee-Ann Kirby 42; Poonam Yadav 3/20) by 2 runs.