T20 World Cup finale witnesses highest attendance for women's cricket match worldwide

ICC Women's T20 World Cup final broke world record attendance for a women's cricket match as it was witnessed by 86,714 people at iconic Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG) on Sunday. final also witnessed highest attendance for a women's sporting event in Australia. official handle of ICC took to Twitter and shared an im of grand stadium to thank spectators for making International Women's Day 2020 "one to remember"

' highest for a women's sporting event in Australia'
 

In six previous editions of tournament, highest final crowd came in 2009 when 12,717 watched England beat New Zealand in Sydney. And seeing 73,000 more fans turn up in Melbourne for same event 11 years later is a true indication to show how far game has come.

'It was amazing to have all those people before us'

"I never thought I'd be playing in front of a crowd like this," said Australia's Ashleigh Gardner. "It was amazing to have all those people before us," she added. In final, Australia displayed an all-round performance to defeat India by 85 runs to win its fifth Women's T20 World Cup title. Before this edition, Australia had won tournament in 2010, 2012, 2014 and 2018.

READ | 'Victory for each & every Indian girl', says Gautam Gambhir despite final loss against Aus

Chasing 185, India got off to worst start possible as Shafali Verma (2) was sent back to pavilion by number one ranked bowler in world Megan Schutt on third ball of innings. final nail in coffin for India came in sixth over of innings as Harmanpreet (4) was sent back to pavilion by Jess Jonassen, reducing team to 30/4.

READ | 'Can't blame Shafali for defeat', says India captain Harmanpreet Kaur

Veda Krishnamurthy and Deepti Sharma tried to retrieve innings as duo put on 28 runs, but ir vigil ended in 12th over as Krishnamurthy (19) was dismissed by Delissa Kimmince. Taniya did t come out to bat due to concussion and Richa Ghosh came in place of her as concussion substitute. In end, Australia did t give away many loose balls, and hosts went away with a win by 85 runs to win ir fifth T20 World Cup title.

READ | Virat Kohli 'proud' of India women's team, backs m to come back stronger

READ | Aakash Chopra gives a befitting reply to a Pakistan fan who made fun of India's final loss

(With ncy inputs)