The Nordic T20 Cup, featuring the women’s teams of Denmark, Norway and Sweden got underway in the small Swedish town of Kolsva yesterday with the hosts recording two straightforward wins over Norway.

Norway won the toss and chose to bat first in the opening game, their 20 over total of 76-9 owing much to the 40 extras conceded by Sweden. Ayesha Hasan was the only batter to make a double digit score with 23. Nine bowlers were used by the home team, a record for T20I cricket, with Gunjan Shukla the best of the bunch with 2-7.

Sweden had little trouble chasing down their target, winning by eight wickets in just 8.1 overs. Extras were the top scorer for them too with 25, whilst Abhilasha Singh scored an unbeaten 22.

The second game was a similar affair, with the visitors choosing to bat first and only managing to score 64-7 from their 20 overs. Two batters reached double figures this time but extras was again top of the runs with 25. Sweden then knocked off the required runs in just nine overs to win by nine wickets, Kanchan Rana top scoring with 27 not out.

Denmark, playing their first matches in five years, will play their first matches on the second day. They take on hosts Sweden in the morning and Norway in the afternoon.