Bangladesh (Commonwealth) _ In what looked to be a precarious 119-7 in their 20 overs, Bangladesh defeated Scotland by 16 runs on the first day of the 2024 competition. Meanwhile, in a thrilling opening performance, Pakistan upset seasoned players and Asian Cup winners Sri Lanka, winning by 31 runs to remain in the competition.
Bangladesh, on the other hand, tied the Scots down with a bowling attack that limited them to 103-7.
Later, Pakistan defeated Sri Lanka by 31 runs. Pakistan had never advanced past the group stages in their eight prior tries.
After scoring 116 runs in their 20 overs, Pakistan held Sri Lanka to 85-9.
It was “very emotional” for Bangladeshi captain Nigar Sultana Joty to finally break her team’s long World Cup drought.
Nigar Sultana Joty, the captain of Bangladesh, called it “very emotional” to break her team’s lengthy World Cup drought.
Nigar Sultana Joty, the captain of Bangladesh, called the conclusion of her team’s lengthy World Cup drought “very emotional” and that it would “momentum” the women’s game back home.
Joty, who was playing in her 100th T20I, remarked, “I would say that a win after 10 years, we are all very emotional because we have been waiting for this victory for a long time.”
It appears that we will now aspire to greater things. In a similar vein, our supporters in Bangladesh, including our family, dream of something greater than that.
The momentum for women’s cricket in Bangladesh would have had a lot bigger lift had they been staging the event as scheduled.
Rather, the tournament was moved to the United Arab Emirates, with Bangladesh still serving as the official host, due to weeks of protracted political turmoil in Bangladesh that ultimately resulted in the installation of an interim administration.
At first, Joty said, it was really upsetting since we constantly remember that we are performing for our own audience.
However, the folks who came here today were amazing.
Bangladesh’s top scorer with 36 came from Sobhana Mostary, who batted first after winning the toss.
In Sharjah, where the score was set at 120 to win on a slow track and in muggy conditions, Bangladesh’s range of spin options proved too much for Scotland, who could only muster 103-7.
With 49 not out, opener Sarah Bryce kept her side in the game, but she had trouble getting help when the middle order faltered in the face of a relentless chase.
Scotland’s early nervousness also showed on the field, as they missed three opportunities despite a strong bowling effort that saw them limit Bangladesh to 119-7.
It is Bangladesh’s first T20 World Cup triumph since 2014, and their first ever away from home, and they next face England on Saturday, with Scotland up against the West Indies the following day.
Meanwhile, Pakistan’s slow bowlers dominated the day’s play in the subsequent pivotal match between Sri Lanka and Pakistan, winning by 31 runs to set up an incredible start to the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup 2024.
Pakistan, playing in Sharjah, took advantage of the circumstances to limit Sri Lanka’s pursuit, after captain Fatima Sana struck a quick thirty to lead the team to a total of 116 batting first.
It was difficult to locate the boundary as Omaima Sohail (2/17) and Nashra Sandhu (2/15) choked Sri Lanka’s batting with slow ball speed.
After responding with 84 for nine, Pakistan gained momentum in Pool A, where Australia, India, and New Zealand were also present.
Pakistan won the toss and elected to bat first, but Sugandika Kumari’s bowling dismissed Gull Feroza for two in the second over (3/19).
Muneeba Ali attempted to attack, even scoring the tournament’s first six, but Kumari’s second victim out of eleven was her.
Then, when they fell to 32 for three, Chamari Athapaththu joined in, dismissing Sidra Amin (12) with a return catch.
Nida Dar and Omaima (18) attempted to recover, but Kavisha Dilhari ended their 25-run partnership, leaving Pakistan at half-century point at 57 for 4.
The wickets kept falling, with Nida going next for 23, and Tuba Hassan and Aliya Riaz following shortly behind, both falling on consecutive balls from Athapaththu (3/18).
Although she was unable to complete the hat-trick, Pakistan was in serious trouble at 84 for eight when Diana Baig became Kumari’s third victim.
But captain Fatima rose to the occasion, hitting a blistering thirty before falling in the last over, which saw Pakistan bowled out for 116 off the last ball of their twenty overs.
