Women’s T20 World Cup: Bangladesh end 10-year wait with 16-run win vs Scotland
Bangladesh ended their 10-year-long wait to win a Women’s T20 World Cup match after beating Scotland by 16 runs on Thursday at the Sharjah Cricket Stadium.
Back in April, 2014, the Tigresses defeated Ireland by 17 runs, after which they lost 16 matches in a row in the mega event, failing to win a single game in 2016, 2018, 2020 and 2023.
But against Scotland, Nigar Sultana Joty’s women somehow found a way to secure their third win out of 22 matches in the history of the tournament. Scotland, making their debut in the T20 World Cup, put in a strong effort, but ran out of gas due to lack of experience. The Scots will be looking to make amends when they face West Indies in Dubai on Sunday.
Mostary leads the charge for Bangladesh
After opting to bat first in hot and humid conditions, Bangladesh struggled their way to scoring 119 for the loss of seven wickets. Murishida Khatun got a lifeline early after being dropped off Olivia Bell, but Kathryn Bryce removed her soon after. Sobhana Mostary and opener Shathi Rani steadied the ship with a partnership of 42 runs for the second wicket.
Katherine Fraser separated the duo after dismissing Rani, who made 29 off 32. Debutant Taj Nehar had a horrible outing after she bagged a golden duck. Mostary played until the 16th over where she scored 36 off 38 before Bell accounted for her wicket.
Off-spinner Saskia Horley put the brakes on the Bangladesh innings with figures of 2-0-13-3. Skipper Nigar Sultana Joty, playing in her 100th T20I, demoted herself to No.5, but could only manage 18 at a run-a-ball. It was a cameo of 10 off five, but the Tigresses failed to go past the 120-run mark.
Ritu Moni stars for Tigresses
Chasing the modest target of 120, Scotland struggled to get going and could hardly put pressure on the opposition. Horley, who was outstanding with the ball, failed to step up with the bat after leg-spinner Fahima Khatun dismissed her. Kathryn Bryce made a promising start with a couple of fours, but tearaway pacer Marufa Akter cleaned her up with an absolute peach.
Sarah Bryce, their leading run-scorer in Women’s T20Is, played until the very end, staying unbeaten on 49 off 52 balls. But her efforts went in vain as she did not get enough support from her teammates. Scotland struggled to the extent that they could not hit a four for the last nine overs.
For Bangladesh, Nahida Akter reached the landmark of 100 T20I wickets after she dismissed Katherine Fraser. Ritu Moni was outstanding as her figures of 4-0-15-2 helped Bangladesh restrict their opponents to 103 for seven and start their campaign in the best possible manner.