England secured a thrilling five-wicket victory against India in the final T20 match at Birmingham on Saturday, chasing down India’s target of 167 on the last ball. Despite the loss, India clinched their first-ever Women’s T20 series win against England with a 3-2 margin.Shafali Verma’s explosive innings of 75 runs powered India to 167 for 7 after being sent in to bat. Her knock included 13 boundaries and a six, reaching her fifty in just 23 balls, marking the second joint-fastest by an Indian woman in WT20s.India’s innings began with vice-captain Smriti Mandhana’s aggressive start, hitting consecutive boundaries before falling to Em Arlott’s delivery. Jemimah Rodrigues followed shortly after, bowled by Linsey Smith.Verma and captain Harmanpreet Kaur formed a crucial partnership of 66 runs off 43 balls before Kaur was dismissed by Charlie Dean for 15. Harleen Deol’s dismissal followed quickly, falling LBW to Sophie Ecclestone.Verma’s standout performance included a remarkable seventh over against Issy Wong, scoring 20 runs with three boundaries and a six. Her innings ended in the 14th over when Maia Bouchier took a diving catch at long on off Dean’s bowling.Richa Ghosh contributed a quick 24 off 16 balls, while Radha Yadav added 14 runs as India managed 56 runs in the final 41 balls. Charlie Dean emerged as England’s most successful bowler with figures of 3/23.
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England’s chase began impressively with openers Sophia Dunkley and Danielle Wyatt-Hodge putting on a 101-run partnership in 10.4 overs. Dunkley scored 46 off 30 balls, while Wyatt-Hodge made 56 off 37 deliveries.The match reached a tense climax in the final over with England needing six runs. Arundhati Reddy created pressure by dismissing captain Tammy Beaumont and Amy Jones, leaving England requiring 5 runs from 3 balls.Sophie Ecclestone and Paige Scholfield held their nerve to guide England to victory on the final delivery. Reddy finished with figures of 2/47.The teams will now shift their focus to a three-match ODI series, beginning July 16 at Southampton.
