Opener SabbhineniMeghana (69) batted with authority to record her maidenT20I half-century as India defeated Malaysia by 30 runs via the Duckworth-Lewis method in the rain-curtailed Asia Cup match here on Monday.

Replacing vice-captain Smriti Mandhana at the top, Meghana hit a career-best 69off 53 deliveries to help Indiapost 181 for 4.

In reply, Malaysia were tottering at 16/2 in 5.2 overs when rain stopped play, far behind the 46-run mark which was the D/L par score when the match was called off.

With the win, India moved to the second spot on the points table — with four points— behind Pakistan.

Meghana took the Malaysian bowling attack to the sword as she brought up her career-best score in the format after India were asked to bat.

The big-hitting ShafaliVerma, who is struggling for form, also pitched in but the teenager looked scratchy for the most part of her 46-run knock.

Meghana she donned the role of the aggressor from the very first ball. She hit the ball across the ground in the powerplay as India fetched 47/0 in the first six overs.

She was dropped on 14by skipper Winifred Duraisingam (2/36) in the third over and the right-hander made the Malaysian pay for the error as she raced to fifty with a boundary.

Poor fielding only added to Malaysia’s woes as the Indian women looked set for a 200-plus score. However, Duraisingam got the prized wicket of Meghana.

Brief scores: India Women 181/4 in 20 overs (S. Meghana 69, S. Verma 46; (W. Duraisingam 2/36, N. Syuhada 2/9); Malaysia Women 16/2 in 5.2 overs. India Women won by 30 runs (D/L Method).