Bangladesh achieved their first win at an ICC Women’s T20 Cricket World Cup since 2014 by defeating debutants Scotland by 16 runs. Sobhana Mostary led Bangladesh with her highest international score of 36, helping them make 119 for seven. In response, Saskia Horley took three late wickets to stifle Bangladesh, but Scotland was unable to chase down the target of 120, ultimately finishing at 103-7. Despite Sarah Bryce’s 49 not out, Bangladesh’s bowlers strangled the Scotland reply, securing a historic triumph for the team. This victory marked Bangladesh’s first win in a T20 World Cup in a decade, with captain Nigar Sultana Joty expressing the team’s long-awaited joy.
Ritu Moni was named the player of the match for her impressive spell of 2-15 from four overs. The match saw challenging conditions with temperatures hitting 38 degrees Celsius and a sluggish pitch affecting the batters. Only 15 fours were scored throughout the match, and there were no sixes to heighten the excitement in the nearly-empty stands at the Sharjah Cricket Stadium. Despite the difficulties, Joty, playing her 100th T20I, highlighted the team’s belief in themselves, emphasizing their strong spin attack and the importance of maintaining momentum.
Reflecting on the match, Scotland’s skipper Katheryn Bryce acknowledged some poor fielding that cost them the game, with three simple catches going to ground. Bryce expressed disappointment in their fielding lapses, attributing them to nerves and acknowledging the need to put up a fight in tough situations. Despite the loss, the team acknowledged the learning experience of playing their first match and the importance of addressing mistakes for future games. Bangladesh’s triumph and Scotland’s learnings set the stage for an exciting tournament ahead, with both teams aiming to improve and make their mark in the ICC Women’s T20 Cricket World Cup.
