By Deepak Sharma (Indian Correspondent)
E-mail: spacewalker008@gmail.com
Sharjah, UAE (05-10-2024-): England’s spinners Linsey Smith and Charlie Dean led their team to a 21-run victory over Bangladesh in their opening match of the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup 2024. Smith (2/11) and Dean (2/22) dismantled the Bangladesh batting order, as the 2009 champions successfully defended their modest total of 118/7. Danni Wyatt-Hodge top-scored for England with 41 runs.
Bangladesh, in response, could only manage 97/7 in their 20 overs, with Sobhana Mostary’s fighting 44 not enough to steer them to victory. After a solid start to the tournament with a win against Scotland, Bangladesh couldn’t find the necessary partnerships and succumbed to their first defeat of the competition.
England Innings: After opting to bat, England’s innings started cautiously, with the first boundary only arriving midway through the fourth over, courtesy of Wyatt-Hodge. Maia Bouchier (23) was given a reprieve early on when Rabeya Khan dropped a straightforward chance, but Rabeya soon made amends by dismissing her, as Bouchier chipped to mid-on. England then lost Nat Sciver-Brunt and Heather Knight for single-digit scores, slipping to 76/4 when Wyatt-Hodge was stumped off Nahida Akter for 41.
Fahima Khatun (2/18) and Ritu Moni (2/24) continued to make breakthroughs, while Rabeya was economical, giving away just 15 runs in her four overs. Sophie Ecclestone struck a six off the penultimate ball of the innings to push England to 118/7 in their 20 overs.
Bangladesh Innings: Bangladesh’s chase got off to a shaky start as Dilara Akter survived a review but was eventually dismissed by Dean. Linsey Smith soon sent back Shathi Rani as Bangladesh reached 42/2 at the halfway mark. Captain Nigar Sultana Joty added some quick runs before being run out for 15, a key moment that swung the match in England’s favor.
Sobhana Mostary kept Bangladesh in the game with a composed 44, including the only six of the innings. However, Dean’s dismissal of Mostary all but ended Bangladesh’s hopes of victory as they fell 21 runs short.
Scores in Brief:
England: 118/7 in 20 overs (Danni Wyatt-Hodge 41, Maia Bouchier 23; Fahima Khatun 2/18, Ritu Moni 2/24)
Bangladesh: 97/7 in 20 overs (Sobhana Mostary 44, Nigar Sultana 15; Linsey Smith 2/11, Charlie Dean 2/22)
Result: England won by 21 runs.