Bangladesh qualified for the ICC Women’s World Twenty20 as they reached the “Trophy” final of Women’s World T20 Qualifiers with all-win record eliminating Zimbabwe by 31 runs in the first semifinal at Terdthai Cricket Stadium in Bangkok on Thursday.
In the trophy final on Saturday morning, Bangladesh Women’s team will play Ireland Women’s, who also booked ICC Women’s World Twenty20 berth crushing Scotland by nine wickets in the 2nd semifinal at the same venue on the same day.
The Trophy finalists — Bangladesh and Ireland — will join reigning champions Australia, England, India, New Zealand, Pakistan, South Africa, Sri Lanka and the West Indies in the final round of the ICC Women’s World Twenty20 to be held in India from March 11 to April 3 next year.
On way to the semifinals, Bangladesh defeated hosts Thailand by 73 runs, beat Scotland by eight wickets and crushed Papua New Guinea (PNG) by 41 runs in group matches.
Sent in to bat first in the day’s first semifinal, Bangladesh scored 89 for 5 in stipulated 20 overs, featuring run-a-ball 43 by middle order Fargana Haque.
After the collapse of first three wickets — Ayesha Rahman (5), Shaila Sharmin (0) Rumana Ahmed (0) — for just 10 runs in 4.5 overs, opener Sharmin Akhter pairing with number five Fargana Haque repaired the early damage contributing 51 runs in the 4th wicket stand to carry the team total to 61.
Fargana Haque furnished her 43-ball 43-run innings with four boundaries while Sharmin Akhter scored 34-ball 22 runs, were the main contributors for Bangladesh reaching the double digit, Both Fargana and Sharmin fell victim of run out by Nyathi.
Besides, lower order Ritu Moni and skipper Jahanara Alam remained not out on 9 and 2 runs respectively.
J Nkomo claimed two wickets for 12 runs while A Mazvishaya took one for 12 runs, bowling four overs each.
Chasing a target of 90 runs, Zimbabwe Women’s were bundled out for 58 runs in 19.1 overs against devastating bowling by Rumana Ahmed. Only P Mujaji reached double figure for Zimbabwe scoring run-a-ball 10.
Rumana Ahmed grabbed four wickets for 8 runs in four overs with two maidens and was adjudged the player of the match.
Fahima Khatun and Shaila Sharmin captured two wickets each conceding 12 and 13 runs respectively.
