Nuzhat Parween's knock goes in vain as Australia A beat India A in first T20

India A wicketkeeper-batter Nuzhat Parween's fighting 43 went in vain as Elyse Villani smashed a quickfire half-century, Sammy-Jo Johnson's unbeaten 48 and disciplined bowling sealed the deal for Australia A in the first Twenty20 at Bill Pippen Oval, Gold Coast.

Australia won the toss and elected to field first and their decision became fruitful as well. Molly Strano drew the first blood as she bowled Yastika Bhatia for 5. The following oversaw the dismissal of Priya Punia (5) by Belinda Vakarewa. Strano returned in her second over and removed the captain Veda Krishnamurthy (1). Fall of wickets at regular interval reduced India A to 25/3.

They lost Shafali Verma and Devika Vaidya without adding a single run and that too within the powerplay. While Shafali mistimed the delivery off Annabel Sutherland, Devika ran out where there was no chance of a run. Later, Hemlata Dayalan and Nuzhat Parween resurrected the innings with a 42-run stand. Nuzhat scored 43 off 44 and took the side to 112 for the loss of nine wickets. Molly Strano and Tahlia McGrath bagged 2 wickets each for Australia A.

Chasing 113, Australia A got off to a flying start. Ellyse Villani took no time to set her eye in and the result - she smashed 20 runs in the second over off Tanuja Kanwar. Although Mansi Joshi cleaned up Tahlia McGrath for two, that certainly didn't affect their scoring.

However, her dismissal brought Sammy-Jo Johnson, at the crease. She also started hitting all over the park and India A bowlers failed to find a way to restrict them. Ellyse Villani scored 62* off 36, including 9 boundaries and 3 sixes whereas Johnson's 24-ball 48* which included 5 fours and 3 sixes took the side to the finish within 11.1 overs.

Brief scores: India A: 112-9 in 20 overs (Nuzhat Parween 43; Molly Strano 2-17) lost to Australia A: 117-1 in 11.1 overs (Elyse Villani 62; Mansi Joshi 1-18) by nine wickets.