Kerala's Joshitha shines as India crowned U-19 Women’s Asia Cup champion

India beat Bangladesh by 41 runs in the final to clinch the inaugural Women’s U-19 Asia Cup at the Bayuemas Oval in Kuala Lumpur on Sunday.
Powered by a half-century by G Trisha, India women posted a modest total of 117 runs in the final. But the bowlers kept a tight leash on Bangla women by taking wickets at regular intervals to skittle them out for 76.Kerala's VJ Joshitha was the first one to strike. With the second ball of her first over, she removed opener Mosammat Eva for a duck. She returned with figures of 1 for 11 in 2 overs.

A semblance of resistance came only from the other opener, Fahomida Choya, and wicketkeeper batter, Juairiya Ferdous, who scored 18 and 22, respectively. Rest, including captain Sumaiya Akter, fell for single-digit scores.  

Aayushi Shukla, who finished the tournament as the top wicket-taker, was the star bowler for India, finishing with figures of 3 for 17. 

Earlier, put in to bat, Indian managed only 117, with none of the batters, barring Trisha, getting a big score. Opening the innings, Trisha scored 52 runs off 47 balls. Mithila Vinod added a late momentum with a 12-ball 17.

For Bangladesh, fast bowler Farjana Easmin finished with figures of 4 for 31. Nishita Akter Nishi bagged two.

Brief scores
India 117/7 (Gongadi Trisha  52, Nishita Akter Nishi 2/23, Farjana Easmin 4/31) bt Bengladesh 76 (Juairiya Ferdous 22, Aayushi Shukla3/17, Parunika Sisodia 2/12, Sonam Yadav 2/13) by 41 runs.