Bangladesh women's team secured an elusive win in ICC Twenty20 World Cup by cruising to a 16-run victory over Scotland in their opening game on Thursday (Oct 3) at Sharjah Cricket Stadium in United Arab Emirates (UAE). The Tigresses registered their only second victory in the T20 WC with the first victory came in 2014 when they hosted the tournament. Bangladesh were the hosts of this edition too before it moved to UAE due to the political turmoil. However, Bangladesh still have the hosting rights.
The victory became more memorable for captain Nigar Sultana Joty, who achieved the milestone of playing 100th T20 International as the first Bangladeshi Women's player with this match. Joty scored just 18 in this game but the victory was more important, she said immediate after the match. "We have been waiting for this moment for a long time," Joty said. "We had in our minds that this is our moment. It means a lot"
Bangladesh piled up 119-7 after electing to bat first with the team-best 36 coming from Sobhana Mostary's willow. Opener Sathi Rani scored 29. Later, the bowlers bowled well in tandem to restrict Scotland to 103-7 despite opener Sarah Bryce's valiant 49 not out.
Sathi Rani and Murshida started well for Bangladesh, having added 26, but the Tigresses then lost wickets in cluster to leave them in jeopardized state. Amid the tumbling of the wickets, Mostary kept the scoreboard moving with typical aggressive fashion. She hammered two fours in her 38-ball-knock.
Ritu Moni played a vital role in bowling, claiming 2-15 in four overs. Marufa Akter, Nahida Akter, Fahima Khatun and Rabeya Khan picked up one wicket apiece.
"It was a decent wicket so I just wanted to bowl wicket-to-wicket and use my variations," Ritu said after the match. "We have put in a lot of hard work in the last year and we were really prepared. It is a great moment and a very proud moment for me and my team," She said, adding that they bowled to their strength after assessing the condition.
Bangladesh which are eying semifinal berth will lock horns with England in their next match at the same venue on Oct 5. They will then take on West Indies and South Africa on Oct 11 and 13 in Sharjah.
