Bangladesh finally won a T20I match after losing 10 in a row, earning their first two points in the Women’s Asia Cup in Dambulla. They bounced back from their opening game loss to Sri Lanka by beating Thailand by seven wickets, keeping their hopes for a semi-final spot alive.

Legspinner Rabeya Khan took four wickets, and pace-bowler Ritu Moni grabbed two, helping Bangladesh limit Thailand to 96 for 9 on a spin-friendly pitch. Nattaya Boochatham was Thailand’s top scorer with 40 runs off 41 balls, but it wasn’t enough. In reply, Murshida Khatun, who missed the first game, scored 50 runs to lead Bangladesh to victory in 17.3 overs, marking their first win of the year.

Sri Lanka leads Group B with four points after two matches and has secured a semi-final spot due to a higher net run rate from a big win over Malaysia earlier in the day. Bangladesh and Thailand each have two points, and their final group games on Wednesday will determine which team moves on to the knockouts.

Rabeya, Moni Dominate Thailand

Rabeya’s Early Strikes

Rabeya started her first over with a bang, taking out Suwanchonrathi and Koncharoenkai without letting them score. Bangladesh quickly noticed Thailand struggled with full-length deliveries, so they kept tossing up the balls. The batters couldn’t handle the turn, drift, and bounce from the spinners.

Moni’s Impact

At the halfway mark, Nigar Sultana handed the ball to Moni, the right-arm seamer. She made an immediate impact, hitting the hard length and swinging the ball back to remove Phannita Maya, leaving Thailand at 38 for 3. In her next over, Moni slowed down her pace to bowl out Chanida Sutthiruang for 8 runs from 10 balls.

Rabeya’s Return

Rabeya returned after the 13th over, picking up a wicket in both her third and fourth overs. She went fuller, and Suwanan Khiaoto couldn’t read her wrong’un, getting bowled out. Rabeya also cleaned up Boochatham for 40 runs off 41 balls in the 17th over with a full-length delivery.

Jesmin’s Debut Performance

Debutant left-arm spinner Sabikun Nahar Jesmin, after conceding 23 runs in her first three overs, took two wickets in two deliveries in her final over, further sinking Thailand.

Suwanchonrathi’s Struggle

Aphisara Suwanchonrathi, usually Thailand’s No.11 player, was promoted to open with Boochatham. This decision came after Nannapat Koncharoenkai top-scored with 40 against Malaysia. However, the move failed as Suwanchonrathi struggled, taking 12 balls to score and eventually falling for 6 runs off 20 balls in the seventh over. Thailand managed only 25 runs in the powerplay.

Murshida’s Runs

Murshida’s Comeback

Bangladesh’s last T20I win before Monday was against South Africa in December 2023, with Murshida scoring an unbeaten 62. However, in the following seven months, the team struggled with their batting, often collapsing around Sultana. They used seven different players in the top three positions in the last three series, trying to find a winning combination before the home World Cup in October.

On Monday, Bangladesh made three changes to their XI. One of these changes was bringing in Murshida, and she made it count. She took ten balls to get off the mark but then kept the score ticking.

Despite a mix-up with Dilara Akter in the fifth over, which led to Akter’s run out, Murshida settled down. She hit eight fours in her 55-ball stay, scoring her fourth half-century in T20Is. Along with Ishma, she put together a 60-run stand for the second wicket, dulling Thailand’s attack.

Bangladesh lost two wickets late in the game, but this time, they didn’t need Sultana to rescue them.

Player of the Match (Rabeya Khan)

 “It feels great to have done well. The ball came out very well. The second wicket was my favourite. I kept it up and despite the turn managed to hit the wicket.”

Harmanpreet Kaur’s steady 66 and a blazing 64 off 29 balls from Richa Ghosh helped India achieve their highest T20I score of 201/5 defeating UAE by 78 runs in the Women’s Asia Cup in Dambulla on Sunday, july 21.

India dominates

Strong start by Verma and Mandhana

India’s opening pair, Shafali Verma and Smriti Mandhana, laid a solid foundation in just 14 balls. Mandhana hit a powerful slog-sweep and a cover drive, while Verma took over with aggressive shots. Though UAE struck back with some quick wickets, India reached 50 runs in just 4.2 overs.

Steadying the ship with Kaur and Rodrigues

Harmanpreet Kaur and Jemimah Rodrigues focused on running between the wickets to rebuild the innings. Kaur punished any loose balls and formed a crucial partnership with Rodrigues. After Rodrigues fell, Richa Ghosh came in and quickly accelerated the score with a flurry of boundaries, setting up India for a big total.

Final assault by Ghosh and Kaur

Ghosh immediately eased the pressure on Kaur and led the charge in the final overs. Kaur reached her fifty and then hit a series of boundaries before getting run out. Ghosh continued the assault, hitting the last five balls of the innings for boundaries, pushing India to 201/5.

UAE struggles

Pacers put UAE under pressure

India’s pacers, Renuka Thakur and debutant Tanuja Kanwar, started strongly, keeping the runs in check. Despite a few boundaries, UAE’s batters struggled. Pooja Vastrakar bowled a maiden over, and Thakur and Vastrakar took crucial wickets, putting UAE on the back foot early.

Oza fights alone

UAE captain Esha Oza tried to counterattack but lacked support. She hit a few big shots but couldn’t keep up with the required run rate. Kanwar eventually got her stumped on 38, ending her resistance and leaving UAE in trouble.

Kavisha’s late effort

With 108 runs needed from the last five overs, UAE’s lower order couldn’t pull off a miracle. Despite Kavisha Edodage’s unbeaten 40 off 32 balls, UAE fell well short, suffering a heavy defeat.

Player of the Match :Richa Ghosh

“Really happy. When I’m playing with Harry di, she guides me about how the ball is coming on. When the opportunity comes to me, I want to just deliver what I know and what I’m practicing. First four from the cover drive was the favourite moment. Yeah I’m feeling good”

Women’s Asia Cup T20, 2024 Group-B points table