India qualified for the ICC Women’s World Cup with a comprehensive nine-wicket win against Bangladesh in the ICC Women’s World Cup Qualifiers in Colombo on Friday.

Mithali Raj and Co kept their unbeaten streak in the qualifiers alive as they completely dominated their sub-continent neighbours in their Super Six match.

India won the toss and elected to bowl, a decision that paid off as the bowlers restricted Bangladesh to a paltry 155/8 in in 50 overs. Fargana Hoque (50 off 107 balls) top-scored for Bangladesh Women, while opener Sharmin Akhter made 35. For India, pacer Mansi Joshi picked up three wickets for 25 runs while leg-spinner Devika Vaidya took two for 17, according to a PTI report.

The Indian batting then chased down the target comfortably, reaching 158 for the loss of only one wicket in 33.3 overs. Opener Mona Meshram continued to make most of her opportunity in the absence of Smriti Mandhana, scoring almost 50% of the team’s runs, and finished unbeaten on 78 off 91 balls. Her partner, Deepti Sharma, was the only wicket to fall when right-arm off-spinner Khadija Tul Kubra caught her off her own bowling.

The fall of the wicket brought captain Mithali Raj to the crease, who lead the chase with a solid half-century. Mithali scored 73 not out off 87 balls to cruise towards the target.

With this win, India qualified for the big event to be held in England in June 2017, along with South Africa who beat Sri Lanka by nine wickets as well. Raj and Co will play arch-rivals Pakistan next, in their final Super Six match on February 19 at the P Sara Oval.

Bangladesh will now have to beat Sri Lanka and surpass their net run-rate in the last game to keep their World Cup chances alive.

Brief Scores

  • India 158/1 (Mona Meshram 78 not out; Mithali Raj 73 not out; Khadija Tul Kubra 1/37 ) beat Bangladesh (Fargana Hoque 50; Sharmin Akhter 35; Mansi Joshi 3/25) by 9 wickets.