Sports Desk: Bangladesh women’s team qualified for the semi-final of ICC Women’s Twenty20 World Cup Qualifiers by beating hosts Scotland by 13 runs under Duckworth/Lewis Method in their rain-hit last group match at Forthill Sports Club ground in Dundee, Scotland on Tuesday, reports ICC.com.
Winning the toss and opting to field first, a. nervy start from the Scots saw Bangladesh race away to 21-1 after four overs, an early over from Priyanaz Chatterji (0-10) going for 10 runs as the seamer struggled to find her line.
Brought on to bowl the fifth, Abtaha Maqsood (2-20) did well to dry up Bangladesh’s scoring options throughout her consecutive four over spell – Bangladesh reaching 63-3 after 11 when she was bowled out – but the lack of wicket taking options for Scotland allowed Bangladesh to get too comfortable in their innings.
Top-order batters Murshida Khatun (26) and Nigar Sultana (35 not out) were able to set the tone before Fargana Hoque (23) was allowed to come in with freedom to score at the closing stages, meaning Bangladesh reached 104-4 after 17 overs when the rain came and concluded the first innings.
Chasing an improbable revised target of 63 from eight overs, Scotland suffered three run outs (Hawkins for 9, Glen for 2, Willis for 2) as they chanced Bangladesh’s fielding in attempt at knocking off 7.8 runs per over.
Needing someone to anchor the innings if there was to be any hope, Scotland’s Kathryn Bryce (21) was the only batter to reach double figures and hit more than one boundary before slapping the ball to mid-on in the seventh with 23 runs required and with it, all hope dashed for Scotland.
Nineteen runs were asked of Priyanaz Chatterji and Ellen Watson from the final over, but the pair could only add five from the bowling of Nahida Akter as Bangladesh’s won by 13 runs and sealed their place at the top of Group A and semi-final spot.
They will face Ireland in the semi-final at the same ground on Thursday. Thailand will face Papua New Guinea
Scores in brief: Bangladesh 104-4 in 17 overs (N Sultana 35, M Khatun 26; K Bryce 2/13) Vs Scotland 49-6 in 8 overs (K Bryce 21; K. Kubra 1-7)
Result: Bangladesh beat Scotland by 13 runs (DLS)