By Deepak Sharma
Email: spacewalker008@gmail.com
Dubai, UAE – 3 October 2024: The ICC Women’s T20 World Cup 2024 kicked off in thrilling fashion as Bangladesh secured a 16-run victory over debutants Scotland in the opening match at the Sharjah Cricket Stadium, Sharjah.
This marked Bangladesh’s first win at an ICC Women’s T20 World Cup since 2014. Sobhana Mostary led the charge for Bangladesh with a career-best 36, helping her team to a total of 119 for seven. Scotland’s Saskia Horley claimed three late wickets to halt Bangladesh’s momentum, but her efforts were in vain as Scotland fell short in their chase.
After winning the toss and opting to bat, Bangladesh set the tone with their highest-ever first-wicket partnership in a T20 World Cup, putting up 26 runs. Captain Kathryn Bryce got Scotland’s first wicket, with Katherine Fraser catching Murshida Khatun for 12, redeeming Rachel Slater, who had dropped her just three balls earlier.
Sobhana Mostary provided stability for Bangladesh, hitting her second boundary just before the drinks break. However, it was Shathi Rani who impressed after the break, hitting a fine boundary before being dismissed for 29 off 32 balls. Fraser struck again, leaving Bangladesh at 68 for two with eight overs left.
Wickets fell at regular intervals after Sobhana’s departure for 36, but captain Nigar Sultana Joty’s steady 18 helped Bangladesh reach 119. Saskia Horley was Scotland’s standout bowler, finishing with impressive figures of 3 for 13.
In response, Horley made Scotland’s intentions clear by hitting their first boundary at a World Cup, but was stumped for eight shortly after. The Bryce sisters, Kathryn and Sarah, tried to steady the innings, with Kathryn hitting two boundaries to keep Scotland in the game as the required run rate climbed.
Kathryn Bryce was bowled by Marufa Akter, and with Scotland struggling for boundaries, pressure mounted. Sarah Bryce and Priyanaz Chatterji built a brief partnership, but Chatterji’s run out for five halted Scotland’s momentum.
Bangladesh capitalized on Scotland’s mistakes, with Darcey Carter’s attempt at a big hit brilliantly caught by Fahima Khatun, whose acrobatic effort sparked joyful celebrations.
Despite Sarah Bryce’s valiant unbeaten 49, it wasn’t enough as Nahida Akter, who became the first Bangladesh woman to take 100 T20I wickets, claimed the final scalp. Scotland ended their innings at 103 for seven, falling 16 runs short of the target.
Scores in Brief
Bangladesh: 119/7 in 20 overs (Sobhana Mostary 36, Shathi Rani 29; Saskia Horley 3/13)
Scotland: 103/7 in 20 overs (Sarah Bryce 49*, Kathryn Bryce 11; Ritu Moni 2/15)
Result: Bangladesh won by 16 runs.