Women's T20 World Cup: Bangladesh start confidently beating Scotland, ending run of 16 straight loss

Bangladesh started their campaign in the 10-team ICC Women's T20 World Cup 2024 with winning note beating debutante Scotland by 16 runs in the opening match at the Sharjah Cricket Stadium in UAE on Thursday (Oct 3).

This was the first victory for Bangladesh in the ICC Women's T20 World Cup in 10 years, after conceding 16 successive defeats in the last four editions of the tournament since 2014.

With the day's victory, Bangladesh maintained their all win record against World Cup's newcomer Scotland beating them in all the five occasion, UNB reports.

The day's long awaited victory also featured 100th T20 International match of the Bangladesh captain Nigar Sultana Jyoti and the 100th T20 wickets for Nahida Akter in her 87th innings of 88 matches.

The ongoing Women's World Cup 2024 was scheduled to take place in Bangladesh. But, due to the political instability in the country, the ICC shifted the World Cup to the UAE from Bangladesh

All the matches will be in the UAE city Dubai and Sharjah from October 3-20, But, Bangladesh still holds the rights of tournament 's organiser. 

In the day's opener, Bangladesh batted first after winning the toss and scored 119 runs for 7 in stipulated 20 overs featuring 42 runs in the 2nd wicket partnership by Opener Shathi  Rani and Sobhana Mostary.

One down Sobhana Mostary contributed the team's highest 36 runs off 38 balls hitting two boundaries while opener Shathi Rani scored 32-ball 29 runs with three hits to the fence.

Besides, captain Nagar Sultana Joyti (18), opener Murshida Khatun (12) and lower order Fahima Khatun (10) were the other Bangladeshi batters reaching the double figure.

Saskia Horley made major damage in Bangladesh innings  claiming three wickets for 13 runs in two overs.

Chasing a target of 120 runs, Scotland folded their innings at 103 for 7 in 20 overs with Sarah Bryce scoring the match highest 49 runs off 52 balls including one boundary.

Bangladeshi right arm medium pacer Ritu Moni, who scored  five runs, grabbed two wickets for 15 runs in her four over spell and was adjudged the player of the match.

Besides, Marufa Akter, Nahida Akter, Rabeya Khan Fahima Khatun of Bangladesh took one wicket each.

In the remaining Group B matches, Bangladesh will play stronger England on October 5, meet West Indies on October 10, both in Sharjah, and South Africa on October 12 in Dubai.

Top two teams from each of the two groups will play in the semifinals. 

The first semifinal will be held on October 17 in Dubai while the semifinal is scheduled for October 18 in Sharjah. The final will be held on October 20 in Dubai.