Sports Reporter :
Bangladesh National Women’s Cricket team made an auspicious start in the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup (WC) defeating Scotland National Women’s Cricket team by 16 runs in their opening match at Sharjah Cricket Stadium in the United Arab Emirates on Thursday.
It may be mentioned that after 10 years the Tigresses achieved win in the Women’s T20 World Cup.
Electing to bat first, the Tigresses piled up a fighting total of 119 for
the loss of seven wickets and then they restricted Scotland to 103 for the loss of seven wickets in 20 overs.
Bangladesh had a modest start with two openers Sathi Rani and Murshida Khatun put on together 26 runs before Murshida (12) was caught at the mid-on by Katherine Fraser off Kathryn Bryce.
After Murshida’s dismissal, Sathi and Sobhana Mostary put on together 42 runs before Sathi was caught at the mid wicket by Saskia Horley off Fraser when the Tigresses’ total was 68 for the loss of two wickets. Sathi made 29 from 32 deliveries featuring three fours.
After Sathi’s departure, Taj Nehar (0) was unfortunately run out by a joint-effort of Abtaha Maqsood and Olivia Bell when Bangladesh’s score was 69 for the loss of three wickets.
Mostary was stumped out by wicketkeeper Sarah Bryce off Bell when the Tigresses total was 86 for the loss of four wickets.
Mostary top-scored with 36. She hit two fours in her 38-ball knock.
Shorna Akter (5) was caught by Priyanaz Chatterji off Saskia Horley when Bangladesh’s score was 97 for the loss of five wickets.
Ritu Moni (5) was stumped out by Bryce off Horley when the Tigresses’ total was 103 for the loss of six wickets.
Nigar Sultana hit a run-a-ball 18 including one four before she was caught at the long-off by Bryce off Horley when Bangladesh’s score was 118 for the loss of seven wickets.
Fahima Khatun remained unbeaten with 10 runs, while Rabeya Khan remained unbeaten with one run.
Holey captured three wickets at the cost of 13 runs, while Fraser, Bell and Bryce took one wicket each conceding 23 runs each.
Scotland had a poor start as opener Horley (8) was stumped out wicketkeeper Nigar Sultana off Fahima when Scotland’s score was 12.
Kathryn Bryce (11) was bowled out by Marufa Akter when Scotland’s total was 31 for the loss of two wickets.
Alisa Lister (11) was caught at the mid-off by Rabeya off Ritu Moni when Scotland’s score was 49 for the loss of three wickets.
Priyanaz (5) was run out by a joint-effort of Marufa Akter and Nahida Akter when Scotland’s total was 65 for the loss of four wickets.
Darcey Carter (2) was caught at the long-on by Fahima Khatun off Ritu Moni when Scotland’s score was 70 for the loss of five wickets.
Lorna Jack-Brown (9) was stumped out by Nigar off Rabeya when Scotland’s total was 88 for the loss of six wickets.
Katherine Fraser (2) was caught at the long-off by Rabeya off Nahida Akter when Scotland’s score was 93 for the loss of seven wickets.
One-down Sarah Bryce restored some parity for her country. She remained unbeaten with 49 runs. Her 52-ball innings had one four.
Abtaha Maqsood remained unbeaten with two runs.
Ritu Moni bagged two wickets instead of 15 runs. She was adjudged the Player of the Match. Marufa, Nahida, Rabeya and Fahima picked up one wicket each for 17, 19, 20 and 21 runs respectively.
