Bangladesh continued their stellar form in the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup Qualifiers, emerging as unbeaten champions after a convincing seven-match winning streak. The decisive triumph came against the Netherlands in the final match of the qualifiers, held at the Mulpani Cricket Ground in Nepal.
Electing to field first, Bangladesh’s bowlers immediately put the Dutch team under severe pressure. Skipper-in-waiting Nahida Akhter led the charge with her left-arm spin, claiming 3 wickets for just 10 runs in four overs, including a maiden. She was ably supported by Marufa Akhter, Swarna Akhter, and Rabeya Khan, each contributing with a wicket, restricting the Netherlands to a modest 102 for 6 in their allotted 20 overs.
The Dutch innings was precarious from the outset, losing 5 wickets for just 23 runs. However, Robin Rijk and Sania Khurana stitched together a vital 78-run partnership to push the total past the 100-run mark. Rijk fell for 39 off 45 balls, including four boundaries, while Khurana remained unbeaten on 43 from 37 balls, hitting six fours.
Chasing a modest target, Bangladesh faced early setbacks, losing two wickets in the first two overs. Captain Nigar Sultana Jyoti and Sharmin Sultana Supta stabilised the innings with a 42-run third-wicket partnership. Supta departed after making 13, but Jyoti and Sobhana Mostari ensured there were no further hiccups.
The unbroken 57-run stand between Jyoti and Sobhana sealed the match with 20 balls to spare. Jyoti brought up her 11th career T20 fifty, remaining unbeaten on exactly 50, while Sobhana contributed 33*.
Sobhana finished the qualifiers as Bangladesh’s second-highest run-scorer, amassing 262 runs in seven matches at an impressive average of 52.40 and a strike rate of 145.55. Bangladesh’s consistent performances across the first round and Super Six stage saw them emerge as clear winners, advancing to the main World Cup tournament scheduled for June–July in England and Wales.
Match Summary
| Team | Score | Overs | Key Performances | Best Bowlers |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Netherlands | 102/6 | 20 | Robin Rijk 39, Sania Khurana 43* | Nahida Akhter 4-1-10-3, Marufa Akhter 4-0-14-1, Rabeya Khan 4-0-26-1, Swarna Akhter 3-0-17-1 |
| Bangladesh | 105/3 | 16.4 | Nigar Sultana Jyoti 50*, Sobhana Mostari 33* | Iris 4-0-16-1, Hider Sigars 3-0-9-1, Landhi 1-0-17-1 |
Result: Bangladesh won by 7 wickets
With an unbeaten run of seven wins, Bangladesh enter the T20 World Cup as a team to watch, showcasing a fine balance of disciplined bowling and calm, authoritative batting under pressure.