Kaur’s 103 sets up easy win for India

PROVIDENCE, Guyana (CMC):

Harmanpreet Kaur smashed the first-ever century by an Indian woman in T20 internationals to help her side crush New Zealand and open their CC Women's Twenty20 World Cup campaign on a winning note yesterday.

Kaur pummelled the New Zealand bowling attack on her way to scoring 103 from just 51 balls as India posted a mammoth 194 for five off their allotted 20 overs - their second-highest total in T20Is.

Despite a fighting half-century from New Zealand opener Suzie Bates, New Zealand only briefly threatened before being limited to 160 for nine off their 20 overs.

Scores: India 194 for five off 20 overs (Harmanpreet Kaur 103, Jemimah Rodrigues 59; Lea Tahuhu 2-18).

New Zealand 160 for nine off 20 overs (Suzie Bates 67, Katey Martin 39; Dayalan Hemalatha 3 -26, Poonam Yadav 3-33, Radha Yadav 2-31).

In the day's second match, Australia defeated Pakistan by 52 runs.

Scores: Australia 165 for five off 20 overs (Alyssa Healy 48, Beth Mooney 48, Meg Lanning 41; Aliya Riaz 2-25, Nashra Sandhu 2-43).

Pakistan 113 for eight off 20 overs (Bismah Maroof 26; Megan Schutt 2-13, Georgia Wareham 2-18).