Photo by ©ICC2023/Getty images) In a momentous victory, Bangladesh secured their first win at an ICC Women’s T20 Cricket World Cup since 2014 by defeating debutants Scotland by 16 runs.
The pivotal moments of the match included Saskia Horley taking three late wickets to stifle Bangladesh’s momentum despite the impressive performance of Sobhana Mostary, who achieved her highest international score of 36.
This stellar performance helped Bangladesh reach a total of 119 for seven. During Scotland’s chase of 120, they struggled to establish partnerships, with Sarah Bryce unable to provide the stability needed for success. This ultimately led to Bangladesh closing out a historic triumph.
Bangladesh batted first
After winning the toss and choosing to bat, Bangladesh achieved their highest first-wicket score at an ICC Women’s T20 World Cup, putting up 26 runs on the board.
Rachel Slater had the distinction of delivering Scotland’s first ball at a World Cup, and it was captain Kathryn Bryce who secured the first wicket, with Katherine Fraser making the catch to dismiss Murshida Khatun for 12.
This turn of events meant that Slater’s earlier missed catch of Murshida did not significantly impact.
Sobhana scored her second boundary when the ball was deflected to the boundary just before the drinks break. The break provided a welcome opportunity for Scotland to regroup under the bright Sharjah sun.
After the break, opener Shathi Rani showed determination with a fine four. However, Fraser had the last laugh by dismissing Shathi for 29 runs from 32 balls, leaving Bangladesh at 68 for two with eight overs remaining.
Scotland then took wickets at regular intervals, preventing Bangladesh from surpassing their highest World Cup score of 126.
After Sobhana was out for 36, Nigar Sultana Jothy remained composed in the middle, scoring 18 runs at a run-a-ball before becoming Horley’s third wicket. Horley finished with the best figures of three for 13.
The target of 119 runs
In response to 119, Horley marked Scotland’s inaugural runs at a World Cup by striking a four off the fourth ball of their pursuit, only to be stumped for eight shortly after.
The Bryce sisters, Kathryn and Sarah, began their innings slowly, but Kathryn’s quick succession of two fours in three balls helped to maintain Scotland’s competitiveness as the required run rate escalated to nearly one run per ball.
Their innings were characterised by fluctuations; after Kathryn was clean bowled by Marufa Akter, Scotland went 17 balls without scoring a boundary.
However, Sarah Bryce and Priyanaz Chatterji then established a solid rhythm, garnering 10 runs off the young Shorna Akter, followed by another six runs in the 12th over, propelling Scotland to 65 runs, a mere three runs behind Bangladesh’s score at the same stage.
After Chatterji was run out for five due to not hearing Bryce’s call, Bangladesh gained the upper hand. Darcey Carter’s attempt to hit the ball to long-on was caught by Fahima Khatun, who celebrated with a dance, further boosting Bangladesh’s morale.
The Bangladesh players maintained their bright smiles as they effectively pushed Scotland out of the contest. Despite Sarah Bryce’s valiant unbeaten 49, Nahida Akter made history by becoming the first Bangladeshi woman to achieve 100 T20I wickets, securing the seventh and final wicket as Scotland fell short by 16 runs.
Match summary
Bangladesh scored 119/7 in 20 overs, with Sobhana Mostary making 36 and Shtahi Rani contributing 29. Saskia Horley took 3 wickets for 13 runs. Scotland scored 103/7 in 20 overs, with Sarah Bryce remaining unbeaten at 49 and Kathryn Bryce scoring 11. Ritu Moni took 2 wickets for 15 runs.
