After a solid bowling performance restricted the Dutch to 139/8, Bangladesh overcame a mid-innings stumble to chase down the target in 19.1 overs. It was their highest successful run chase in Women’s T20 World Cups.
Playing their first women’s World Cup in any format, the Netherlands boldly chose to bat after winning the toss.
However, the nerves kicked in out on the pitch. With Bangladesh bowlers sticking to a tight line and length, Netherlands were hemmed in. They lost both the openers inside of first five overs and Rabeya Khan castled Sterre Kalis for her 50th T20I wicket.
It was captain Babette de Leede who led the Dutch fightback. Cousin of Bas de Leede, who plays in the Netherlands men’s team, De Leede steered them out of choppy waters with a steady 50 off 45 balls.
Iris Zwilling (13 not out) and Silver Siegers (10 not out) gave the team a lift at the end, including 12 off the last over, to take them to a fighting total.
Bangladesh put in a disciplined bowling performance and each of the five bowlers picked up a wicket. Pacer Marufa Akter, who got the ball rolling by dismissing opener Phebe Molkenboer, finished with two.
In reply, Bangladesh also had a jittery start. Juairiya Ferdous began her innings with a few wild swings and also survived two spilled catches. But she settled in and found her groove, unleashing seven fours and two sixes for a half-century.
Her 67-run opening partnership with Dilara Akter gave Bangladesh a solid foundation.
However, their innings was disrupted as Caroline de Lange’s claimed two wickets in two balls. The leg-spinner, who has an action similar to Afghanistan men’s player Rashid Khan, had Ferdous chop a ball straight to Molkenboer at backward point.
On the next ball, she crashed through captain Nigar Sultana’s defences.
Spin sowed seeds of doubt in their minds and Dilara Akter was beaten all ends up by a brilliant delivery by Silver Siegers that straightened up. Bangladesh slipped from 67/1 to 85/4 as the experienced Sobhana Mostary was run out.
With the team in trouble, Sharmin Akhter and Shorna Akter stepped up to the challenge. They played calmly and never let the pressure get to them. While Akhter scored 37 not out, Akter was unbeaten on 18 as they took Bangladesh past the finish line.
Akter scored the winning runs, a boundary past mid-off, as Bangladesh finished at 141/4 with five balls to spare.