Bangladesh women couldn't get a better start to the U-19 T20 World Cup as they shocked the mighty Australian women by seven wickets at Willowmoore Park, Benoni, on Saturday (January 14). This was Bangladesh's first ever victory in International Cricket Council (ICC) tournaments over the years.
Australian skipper Rhys McKenna won the toss and opted to bat first. Skipper Biswas got two early wickets of openers Kate Pelle (5) and Paris Bowdler (7) in the powerplay overs. Clair Moore and Ella Hayward got the innings back on track with a 76-run partnership. However, they could not score freely. Claire Moore scored a half-century but scored a 51-ball 52, while Ella Hayward scored 35 as Australia managed to post a total of 130/5 in their stipulated 20 overs. For Bangladesh, Marufa Akter and Disha Biswas were the pick of the Bangladesh bowlers as they bagged two wickets apiece.
While chasing, Bangaldesh were off to a shaky start as Misty Shaha was sent to the pavilion on the very first ball of the innings. However, Afia Prottasha (24) and Dilara Akter (40) steadied Bangladesh's boat as they put together a 66-run stand before taking the longest walk towards pavilion. Later, Shorna Akter (23) and Sumaiya Akter (31) showed resilience and propelled their side to victory with two overs to spare.
Sumiaya hit the winning runs for Bangladesh which unleashed a rapturous celebration in their dugout. The frenzy fans were also seen bursting into a wild celebration as they stormed into the ground post which the security personnel shielded the Bangladesh cricketers to their dressing room.
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Dilara Akter was named the player of the match for her 40-run knock.
Meanwhile in another match, Shweta Sehrawat's unbeaten 92-run knock and skipper Shafali Verma's blitz helped India outclass hosts South Africa on the opening day of inaugural Under-19 Women's T20 World Cup 2023 with a seven-wicket win.
Chasing 167, India got off to an ideal start with both openers Shweta and Shafali firing during fielding restrictions. Shafali went berserk in the sixth over and hit Ntabiseng Nini for five consecutive fours followed by one six. However, Shafali missed her half-century as Miane Smit got her wicket in the eighth over. The opener scored 45 runs from 16 deliveries including nine fours and one six.
