Bangladesh women’s cricket continued their dream rum as they marched on to their maiden final of the Women’s T20 Asia Cup final with an overwhelming 70-run win over host Malaysia women’s team in their last league game held on Saturday at Kinrara Academy Oval, Kuala Lumpur.
Bangladesh with this win have finished as group runner-up with India as group champions despite both teams having eight points each, Indians taking the top spot because of having a better run rate. Tigresses barged on the way to final defeated subcontinent giants both India and Pakistan.
Bangladesh will now face defending champions India in the final scheduled to be held today (Sunday). The match kicks off at 12 pm.
Bangladesh came in the match only needed to win their last game to book their place for the final.
Batting first after winning the toss, Bangladesh posted a decent total of 130/4 in 20 overs on board against Malaysia.
The two openers – Shamima Sultana and Ayasha Rahman – gave their side a good start contributing 59 for the opening stand. Shamima top-scored with 54-ball 43 runs with five boundaries while Ayasha made 31 off 27 balls hitting two boundaries and one over boundaries.
Aggressive Fahima Khatun late surge helped Bangladesh to post to competitive total.
She blasted 12-ball off 26-run, an innings that furnished with three boundaries to remain unbeaten till the end of the innings. Sanjida Islam (15) was another notable scorer for Bangladesh.
Malaysia skipper Winifred Duraisingam captured two Bangladesh’s wickets conceding 19 runs.
Chasing a winning target of 131-runs set by Bangladesh, Malaysia stumbled as they were restricted 60 for 9, their highest total in the tournament allowing Bangladesh a comfortable victory to reach in to the coveted final.
Only three Malaysian batsmen – Winifred Duraisingam (17), Mas Elysa (14) and Yusrina Yaakop (11) – reach the double digit. Tigress bowlers had a cheap day as Rumana Ahmed emerged as the most successful bowler taking three Malaysian’s wickets conceding only 8 runs.
Shamima Sultana of Bangladesh was named the player of the match for her impressive batting performance.
Earlier in the day, Thailand women shocked Sri Lanka women chasing 105 on the last ball. Sri Lanka are already out of the contention for the first two place.
In the day’s other match between Asian rivals India and Pakistan, India women chased 73-run target and later won by seven wickets with 23 balls to spare.
Brief scores:
Bangladesh women 130/4 in 20 overs (Shamima 43, Ayasha 31, Fahima 26 n.o, Duraisingam 2/19)
Thailand women 60/9 in 20 overs (Duraisingam 17, Rumana 3/8, Khadija 1/8, Salma 1/9).
