Despite battling hard and coming so close to a win, it could well be the end of India’s challenge in the Women’s T20 World Cup after losing narrowly to Australia in a must-win game at the Sharjah Cricket Stadium on Sunday night in front of a full house.

India can now progress to the semi-finals only if Pakistan beat New Zealand in their final league match in Dubai on Monday. It will be an agonising 24-hour wait for the Indian players, who fought hard against the defending champions, but could not overcome their superior opponents.