Women’s U-19 T20 WC: A ‘perfect’ Bangladesh down Aussies

GBNEWS24DESK//

Bangladesh marked their first appearance in the inaugural edition of the ICC Women’s Under-19 T20 World Cup with an emphatic seven-wicket win over tournament favourites Australia at Willowmoore Park in Benoni on Saturday.

The young Tigresses produced an all-round effort to restrict Australia to 130 for five and chase the target down with two overs to spare.

Batting first, Australia suffered a double blow, courtesy of Bangladesh skipper Disha Biswas who sent back both the openers inside the Powerplay.

Claire Moore and middle-order batter Ella Hayward steadied the ship with a 76-run stand.

Moore hit seven boundaries to score 52 off 51 deliveries before falling to leg-spinner Rabeya Khan in the 17th over. Bangladesh pacer Marufa Akter sent back Lucy Hamilton and Hayward for two and 35 in the following over to leave the Australians at 102-5 with two overs remaining.

But the Aussies went hard in the final two overs, plundering 28 runs to post a competitive total.

For Bangladesh, Marufa and Disha scalped two wickets each and Rabeya picked up one.

Bangladesh’s chase got off to the worst possible start as opener Misty Shaha was dismissed in the very first ball of the innings — bowled by seamer Rhys McKenna.

But Afia Prottasha and Dilara Akter put together an assured 66-run stand to bring Bangladesh back into the game. However, Australia pacer Chloe Ainsworth sent back the duo in the 11th over, leaving Bangladesh with 59 to get off 54 balls with seven wickets in hand. Afia scored a 22-ball 24, while Dilara hit seven fours during a 42-ball 40 that eventually earned her the player of the match award.

“We are a very good side. We are a perfect side from both batting and bowling perspectives. We just try to perform as per our roles and that brings us the result,” Dilara said after the game.