“Seven Consecutive Wins, Proud Bangladesh”

Bangladesh’s women’s cricket team concluded the T20 World Cup qualifiers in spectacular fashion, emerging as unbeaten champions after a resounding seven-match winning streak. The final group-stage encounter saw the team secure a seven-wicket victory over the Netherlands at the Mulpani Cricket Ground in Nepal on Sunday morning.

The match was defined by exceptional bowling from vice-captain Nahida Akter, who curtailed the Dutch innings with a miserly spell of four overs, conceding just 10 runs and claiming three crucial wickets, including a maiden over. Her disciplined left-arm spin laid the foundation for Bangladesh’s clinical performance. Support from Marufa Akter, Swarna Akter, and Rabeya Khan, who took one wicket each, ensured the Netherlands were restricted to a modest total of 102 for six in 20 overs.

The Dutch innings initially faltered dramatically, losing five wickets for just 23 runs. A 78-run partnership between Robin Rijk and Sania Khurana helped them reach triple figures, but the total remained underwhelming. Robin scored 39 runs from 45 balls with four boundaries, while Sania remained unbeaten on 43 off 37 balls, hitting six fours.

Chasing 103, Bangladesh faced early pressure, losing two wickets in the first two overs. However, captain Nigar Sultana Jyoti and Sharmin Sultana Supta stabilised the innings with a 42-run third-wicket partnership. Following Supta’s dismissal before the team reached 50, Jyoti and Sobhana Mostari guided Bangladesh home with an unbeaten 57-run partnership. Jyoti remained not out on exactly 50, marking her 11th T20 fifty, while Sobhana contributed a crucial 33 runs.

Sobhana finished the qualifiers as the second-highest run-scorer, amassing 262 runs in seven matches at an average of 52.40 and a strike rate of 145.55.

With victories in all four first-round matches and three wins in the Super Six stage, Bangladesh ended the qualifiers as undefeated champions, securing their place in the main T20 World Cup set to be held in England and Wales in June–July.

Match Summary

Result: Bangladesh won by 7 wickets, remaining unbeaten in the qualifiers.

Bangladesh’s dominant performance across seven matches highlights their growing strength in women’s cricket and sets an encouraging tone for the upcoming World Cup, where they will face the world’s best sides.