`In Women’s Cricket, India defeated Zimbabwe by nine wickets in the second T20 International of the three-match series at the Shaheed Veer Narayan Singh International Cricket Stadium in Raipur, taking an unassailable 2-NIL lead in the series.

Chasing 103 runs, India comfortably reached the target in just 8.5 overs for the loss of one wicket. For India, Shafali Verma top-scored with 55 runs off 25 deliveries, while skipper Smriti Mandhana remained unbeaten on 47 off 25 balls.

Earlier, opting to bat first, Zimbabwe posted 102 for 8 in their allotted 20 overs. Chipo Mugeri-Tiripano top-scored with 34 runs off 32 balls. For India, Niki Prasad claimed two wickets. In a special initiative, female spectators have been allowed free entry to all three T20 Internationals following a suggestion by Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai. The third and final T20 International will be played on the 20th of this month.

This is the first bilateral women’s cricket series between India and Zimbabwe. The T20 series will be followed by a three-match One Day International series in Vadodara, with matches scheduled for the 23rd, 25th and 28th of this month.