Bangladesh Under-19 Women’s Cricket Team secures Super Six spot with a much-anticipated win against Scotland in the ICC Women’s U-19 World Cup.
It was a great day for Bangladesh’s women’s cricket. The day began with the senior team’s impressive win against the West Indies, and later in the day, the U-19 team followed suit by clinching a crucial victory in Malaysia to move to the next round.
In their final group-stage match, Bangladesh defeated Scotland by 17 runs. After underwhelming batting performances in their first two matches, Bangladesh showed some improvement this time, posting 120 runs in 20 overs. Scotland, in reply, could only manage 103 before being bowled out.
At one stage, Scotland was 69 for 2 and seemed to be closing in on the target. However, with the required run rate climbing higher, the Bangladeshi bowlers and fielders turned the game around, taking six wickets for just 34 runs to seal the win.
After winning their opening match against Nepal and narrowly losing a hard-fought game against Australia, Bangladesh’s qualification for the Super Six was already likely. This victory confirmed it.
Match Summary:
Winning the toss, Scotland sent Bangladesh to bat, and the latter faced an immediate blow when Sumaiya Akter Suborna was dismissed for a duck on the second ball of the innings. Another opener, Fahmida Chhoya, was run out after scoring 14 off 12 balls. Sadia Islam could only add 6 runs to the total.
Coming in at number three, Juwairiya Ferdous steadied the innings somewhat, scoring 20 runs with one six and one four. Afia Akhter Asima followed up her 29 runs from the previous match with a quick 21 off 19 balls, including a six and a four.
Despite these contributions, Bangladesh was in danger of folding for under 100 runs at 88 for 7. Captain Sumaiya Akter, who batted lower down the order at number seven, played a crucial unbeaten knock of 28 runs to guide her team to a competitive 120.
In response, Scotland lost their openers early but rallied with a 50-run partnership between Pippa Sprawle and Niamh Muir. However, the partnership wasn’t quick enough to keep up with the required rate. Muir, despite hitting two sixes, managed just 22 off 32 balls, slowing the momentum.
Once the pair was broken, the Bangladeshi bowlers dominated the game. Leg-spinner Anisha Akter Sova, who was awarded Player of the Match, delivered a brilliant spell, taking 4 wickets. Pippa Sprawle, Scotland’s key player, was bowled by Anisha after scoring a valiant 43 off 41 balls. The remaining six Scottish batters failed to score more than 5 runs each.
Score Summary:
- Bangladesh U-19 Women: 120/9 in 20 overs (Sumaiya Akter 28*, Afia Akhter 21, Juwairiya Ferdous 20; Naimah 2/15, McKerra 2/27).
- Scotland U-19 Women: 103/8 in 20 overs (Pippa Sprawle 43, Niamh Muir 22; Anisha Akter 4/25, Habiba 1/16).
Result: Bangladesh won by 17 runs.
Player of the Match: Anisha Akter Sova.
Bangladesh now advances to the Super Six round with confidence, continuing their promising campaign in the inaugural ICC Women’s U-19 World Cup.
