After 10 years, Bangladesh’s women’s team won a match in the T20 World Cup. Bangladesh began their World Cup campaign with a victory, securing the much-anticipated win in the tournament’s opening match. This triumph ended a decade-long wait, as it was Bangladesh’s first win in a T20 World Cup match since 2014.
On Thursday, at the Sharjah Cricket Stadium in the UAE, Bangladesh made a winning start by defeating Scotland by 16 runs in the opening match of the Women’s T20 World Cup.
After winning the toss and opting to bat first, Bangladesh struggled to gain much momentum, posting 119 runs for the loss of 7 wickets. In response, Scotland was restricted to just 103 runs.
Murshida Khatun, who opened the innings, couldn’t provide a solid start. The opening pair managed to add only 26 runs before Murshida was dismissed for 12. However, Sathi Rani and Sobhana Mostary guided the team forward.
The pair added 42 runs together before both departed after getting set. Sathi returned after scoring 29 off 32 balls in the 11.5th over, and in the very next over, Taj Nahar was run out for 0. Bangladesh couldn’t recover from the loss of quick wickets.
After Mostary’s dismissal for 36 off 38 balls, no other batter could make a significant contribution. Captain Nigar Sultana scored 18 off 18 balls, and Fahima Khatun’s unbeaten 10 off 5 balls was the only other notable score. Saskia Horley took 3 wickets for Scotland.
In reply, Scotland could only surpass 100. Jennifer Bryce played the highest innings for Scotland, scoring 49*, while captain Kathryn Bryce and Ailsa Lister contributed 11 runs each.
None of the other Scottish batters managed to reach double digits. For Bangladesh, Ritu Moni took 2 wickets, while Marufa Akter, Nahida Akter, Fahima Khatun, and Rabeya Khan each claimed 1 wicket.
With her 1 wicket in the match, Nahida became the third Bangladeshi cricketer to reach 100 wickets in international T20 cricket, following Shakib Al Hasan and Mustafizur Rahman.
Additionally, Bangladesh captain Nigar Sultana Jyoti marked her 100th international T20 match with a victory, making her the first Bangladeshi woman cricketer to achieve this milestone.
Bangladesh’s other Group B opponents are South Africa and the West Indies. Nigar Sultana’s team will face the West Indies on October 10 and South Africa on October 12.
Scores:
Bangladesh: 119/7 (Nigar 36, Sathi 29; Horley 3/13)
Scotland: 103/7 (Sarah Bryce 49*, Kathryn Bryce 11, Ailsa Lister 11; Ritu 2/15, Marufa 1/17, Nahida 1/19)
Player of the Match: Ritu Moni
