In a tense and hard-fought contest in Sharjah, Bangladesh Women registered a 16-run win over Scotland Women to break a decade-long, 16-match losing streak in Women’s T20 World Cups. This win marked Bangladesh’s first-ever World Cup victory played away from home—a significant moment, especially given they were supposed to host the tournament. The win was not without its struggles, but it was a well-earned victory for the side after a tough battle in scorching conditions.
Match Summary
Bangladesh W 119/7 (Mostary 36, Rani 29; Horley 3/13)
Scotland W 103/7 (S. Bryce 49*; Moni 2/15)
Bangladesh won by 16 runs.
Bangladesh’s Gritty Innings
Captain Nigar Sultana, playing her 100th T20I, made the right call by opting to bat first after winning the toss. With temperatures soaring to 38°C, the decision to put Scotland in the field seemed strategic, hoping to drain their energy in the heat. However, Bangladesh’s innings were far from smooth. Despite the heat, Bangladesh’s top order struggled, and they had to rely on some gritty individual efforts to reach a total of 119 for 7.
Opening batter Shathi Rani (29) and middle-order star Sobhana Mostary (36) provided the backbone of the innings, with both posting career-best scores in T20Is. The pair formed a solid foundation, putting on 38 runs in a partnership that spanned six overs. Rani’s aggressive strokeplay, including a powerful shot over mid-off, was key in ensuring Bangladesh remained competitive. However, after Rani’s dismissal and Mostary’s stumping in the 16th over, Bangladesh’s innings faltered, and they lost six wickets for just 50 runs in a dramatic collapse.
Scotland’s bowling was led by offspinner Saskia Horley, who made the most of the latter stages of Bangladesh’s innings, taking 3 wickets for 13 in her 2-over spell. Despite Bangladesh’s struggles, Fahima Khatun’s cameo of 10 off 5 balls provided some crucial runs in the final overs, helping her team reach a defendable total. However, a series of dropped catches by Scotland, including three simple chances, allowed Bangladesh to post a score that they would ultimately defend.
Scotland’s Defiant Chase
Scotland’s chase started on a poor note with the loss of their captain, Kathryn Bryce, who was bowled by a low-bouncing inducker from Marufa Akter in the 6th over, leaving them at 31 for 2 at the end of the powerplay. Despite this, Sarah Bryce, Scotland’s star wicketkeeper-batter, played a valiant innings, anchoring the chase with an unbeaten 49 off 52 balls.
Bryce’s performance, though gritty, was not enough to keep Scotland in the hunt, as Bangladesh’s bowlers kept the pressure on. Ritu Moni was the standout, taking 2 wickets for 15 in her 4 overs and putting the brakes on Scotland’s progress. By the 17th over, Scotland required an improbable 38 from the final 3 overs, with their hopes pinned on Bryce, who had been given a couple of reprieves, including two missed chances behind the stumps and a dropped catch in the covers.
Despite Bryce’s resilience, Scotland’s innings fizzled out as the pressure mounted. A key moment came in the 15th over when Darcy Carter smashed what looked like the first six of the match, but Fahima Khatun produced an exceptional diving catch to dismiss her, effectively sealing Scotland’s fate. The innings ended with Scotland on 103 for 7, 16 runs short of Bangladesh’s total.
Fahima Khatun Shines in All Three Departments
While Mostary and Rani set the foundation for Bangladesh’s innings, it was Fahima Khatun’s all-round performance that made the difference in the game. Her aggressive cameo with the bat and her crucial bowling spell helped keep Scotland at bay. The highlight of her contribution came in the field, where her stunning catch to dismiss Carter in the 15th over effectively ended Scotland’s slim chances. Fahima’s performance was a standout in a match where fielding lapses and missed opportunities were the norm for both teams.
Scotland’s First World Cup Experience
This match marked Scotland’s maiden appearance in a T20 World Cup, and while their performance was commendable in parts, the match exposed a few weaknesses. Scotland’s fielding, in particular, was costly, with three dropped chances allowing Bangladesh to post a higher total than they might have. Despite the loss, Sarah Bryce’s defiant innings and the spirited bowling efforts of Horley and others showed promise, and Scotland will look to bounce back in their upcoming matches.
Kathryn Bryce’s Moment of History
For Kathryn Bryce, this match also held historical significance. As Scotland’s captain, she led her team in their World Cup debut, and while the team did not win, she made history by taking Scotland’s first-ever T20 World Cup wicket, snaring Murshida Khatun in the 5th over. A few days prior, she had been honored with the ICC Associate Women’s Player of the Decade award, solidifying her status as one of the game’s top performers.
Looking Ahead
For Bangladesh, this win ends a long, painful streak in Women’s World Cup competitions and gives them hope for a more successful tournament campaign. With the conditions in Sharjah proving challenging, both teams will look to learn from this match, as they aim to adjust to the conditions and push for better performances in the coming games. For Scotland, the match was a learning experience, and despite the loss, their determination, particularly from Sarah Bryce, offers hope for the future.
With more matches ahead, both teams will look to build on this contest and adapt to the challenges posed by the tournament conditions in the UAE.
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