Pakistan suffer third straight defeat as Bangladesh win by 23 runs

SOUTHAMPTON: Bangladesh defeated Pakistan by 23 runs in their ICC Women’s T20 World Cup Group 1 fixture at The Rose Bowl on Saturday, handing Fatima Sana’s side a third successive loss in the tournament.

Bangladesh were steered by Nahida Akter and Shorna Akter in a match that turned sharply after Pakistan had made a steady start to their chase. Shorna struck an unbeaten 39 from 22 balls and helped lift Bangladesh from 48-4 to 123-6.

Pakistan began well in reply, reaching 49 without loss through Muneeba Ali, who made 25, and Gull Feroza, who scored 23. But the innings unravelled dramatically as the side slid to 84-8, with Nahida taking 3-18 and Shanjida Akter Meghla claiming 3-21. Pakistan finished on 100-8.

The result moved Bangladesh up to third place in the group with two wins from three matches, boosting their prospects of reaching the semi-finals. It also marked the first time since the 2014 edition that Bangladesh have recorded two victories in a single Women’s T20 World Cup.

For Pakistan, the defeat followed a 64-run loss to India in Birmingham in their opening match and a two-wicket defeat against South Africa at the same venue. Pakistan are in a challenging group that also includes Australia and the Netherlands.

Australia maintain perfect start

Earlier on Saturday, Australia registered their third emphatic win of the event by beating the Netherlands by 98 runs, also in Southampton. The Australians posted 219-6, equalling the highest total in the tournament’s history and reaching 200 in a Women’s T20 World Cup for the first time.

Beth Mooney retired on 74 off 42 balls because of a stiff back, though she later recovered. She added 50 in 28 balls for the opening wicket with Georgia Voll, who made 17, and then shared a 101-run stand from 55 balls with Ash Gardner, who scored 58 on her return from an ankle sprain. Georgia Wareham then pushed Australia beyond 200 with a 41-run knock from 18 deliveries.

The Netherlands, playing in their first World Cup, were limited to 121-3 in reply. Captain Babette de Leede made an unbeaten 56 off 57 balls, while Sterre Kalis scored 44 after being dropped on 21 and 40. The pair put on 96 runs from 91 balls, from the fourth over to the 19th, but the chase was never within reach.

New Zealand edge Ireland

On Friday, New Zealand kept alive their hopes of defending the title with a four-run victory over Ireland in Southampton. After losing their previous two matches, New Zealand climbed to fourth place in Group Two, though they may still need to win their final two group games and depend on other results.

New Zealand were without Sophie Devine, who withdrew late because of illness, and were held to 140-6. Melie Kerr top-scored with 30 and later took 2-23.

Ireland came close to a first-ever win in the tournament after captain Gaby Lewis scored 58 and Orla Prendergast made 59 in a 110-run partnership for the second wicket. But New Zealand pulled things back by taking three wickets, including both set batters, and Ireland ended on 136-4. The result left Ireland all but out of contention for a place in the last four after a 20th attempt to secure their first win in the competition.