India’s batting faltered at the death as England held their nerves to pull off a narrow five-run win in a thrilling third women’s T20I here, keeping the series alive. Opting to bat, Sophia Dunkley (75) and Danni Wyatt-Hodge (66) smashed commanding fifties in a 137-run opening stand before England lost nine wickets for just 31 runs in 25 balls to post 171 for nine.

In reply, India looked in complete control with Smriti Mandhana (56) and Shafali Verma (47) adding 85 runs for the opening wicket, aided by several reprieves from England’s butterfingered fielders. However, Lauren Filer (2-30) bowled a fiery spell to dismiss Mandhana in the 16th over and trigger India’s slide. England restricted India to 166 for five.

Needing six runs off the final ball, skipper Harmanpreet Kaur (23) fell to Bell while attempting a big shot as India fell short by a boundary. “We had the game till the 16th over, we did not utilise [the advantage]. The dew factor also came in. We did well in patches but lots of learning for us,” Harmanpreet said.