Inaugural Women’s T20 World Cup champions, England Women started their campaign in the ninth edition with a 21-run win against the tough Bangladesh Women. 

After choosing to bat first at Sharjah, England Women scored 118/7 in 20 overs. However, Bangladesh Women's batters failed to reply strongly as they were restricted to 97/7 in 20 overs. 

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English openers provided a solid start

England opening batters Maia Bouchier and Danni Wyatt-Hodge set up a strong start as England Women scored 47/0 at the end of the powerplay. 

Bangladesh bowlers made a great comeback

After the end of the powerplay, Bangladesh made a great comeback by picking up regular wickets. Opener Maia Boucher scored 23 off 18 balls with three boundaries, while Wyatt-Hodge scored 41 off 40 balls with five fours. The next English batters failed to scare the Bangladesh side.

Incredible bowling continued in the final overs

England Women managed only one four and one six in the last four overs of the innings. They added only 27 runs in the final four overs. Apart from the openers, only Amy Jones (12*) reached the double-digit mark in that innings.

Bangladesh bowlers Nahida Akter (2/32), Fahima Khatun (2/18), and Ritu Moni (2/24) took two wickets each, while Rabeya Khan (1/15) picked up the other wicket.

A tough powerplay for Bangladesh

Bangladesh Women scored 20/2 at the end of the powerplay. Both the openers, Dilara Akter (7) and Shathi Rani (6) were dismissed in the single digits. 

Sobhana Mostary had no support

Sobhana Mostary fought bravely, but she hardly had any support in that low chase. She had a 35-run partnership with the skipper Nigar Sultana for the third wicket, but it wasn't enough as Sultana departed for 15 runs. Mostary was the other batter with a double-digit score in that innings, as her 44 off 48 balls only took them to closer the target.

Among the English bowlers, Linsey Smith (2/11) and Charlie Dean (2/22) took two wickets each. Also, Nat Sciver-Brunt (1/20) and Sarah Glenn (1/22) got one wicket each. 

Bangladesh would be one of the major contenders for the 2024 edition of the Women's T20 World Cup in UAE. After a promising cricketing display in the recent Women's Asia Cup, they ended up in the semi-final stages of the tournament.

With a spin-dominant squad pertaining to the favourable UAE conditions, Bangladesh is eager to turn the tables and align to their underdog's tag. With that said, here's the announced Bangladesh squad for the 2024 Women's T20 World Cup, with its Probable XI & their top three players to check out. 

Announced Women's Bangladesh 2024 T20 World Cup Full Squad: 

Nigar Sultana Joty (Captain), Nahida Akter, Murshida Khatun, Shorna Akter, Ritu Moni, Sobhana Mostary, Rabeya Khan, Sultana Khatun, Fahima Khatun, Marufa Akter, Jahanara Alam, Dilara Akter (Wicketkeeper), Taj Nehar, Shathi Rani, Disha Biswas

Bangladesh Probable XI: 

• Dilara Akter (Wicketkeeper)
• Murshida Khatun
• Nigar Sultana Joty (Captain)
• Shathi Rani
• Ritu Moni
• Fahima Khatun
• Rabeya Khan
• Shorna Akter
• Jahanara Alam
• Nahida Akter
• Marufa Akter

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Top 3 players to check out from Bangladesh in the 2024 Women's T20 World Cup:

Nigar Sultana Joty

Nigar Sultana Joty, the Captain of the Women's Bangladesh team, would be one of the primary captain-batters to check out from the Bangla Tigers side. Nigar's batting is a mix of aggressive and composed approach, and she prefers to take her time before making a stroke.

As a consequence, she is pretty dependable when it comes to handling difficult circumstances and challenging bowling assaults. Nigar can undoubtedly improve her batting skills, which she will be eager to work on as she advances. In her 99 matches T20I stint, she has made 1944 runs, averaging over 27. 

Fahima Khatun

Fahima Khatun has been one of the most reliable spinners for the Bangladesh side. Keeping in mind the spin-friendly conditions in UAE, it is not a surprise to find her being one of the players to watch out for in the upcoming intense tournament.

Notably, Khatun is the first Bangladeshi cricketer to score a hat-trick in a Women's Twenty20 International match, having accomplished this accomplishment on July 10, 2018, during the ICC Women's World Twenty20 Qualifier event against the United Arab Emirates. In her T20I stint, she played 84 matches and scalped over 50 wickets at a commendable economy of over five. 

Rabeya Khan

Rabeya Khan, the right-arm leg-break bowler, was Bangladesh's highest wicket-taker in the 2024 Women's Asia Cup, where she scalped four wickets in four matches.

As mentioned earlier about the spin conditions in UAE, Rabeya Khan and Fahima Khatun will create a robust spinners duo for the Bangladesh side, which will help scalp wickets and restrict the overflow of runs. In her T20I stint, she has scalped 31 wickets in 29 matches at an outstanding economy of 5.15. 

In a pivotal semifinal encounter, Bangladesh Women opted to bat first after winning the toss, but the decision backfired as they lost three wickets within the powerplay. Renuka Singh Thakur delivered a masterclass with the ball, finishing with remarkable figures of 3/10 in her four overs. Captain Nigar Sultana tried to steady the innings with a patient 32 off 51 balls, but wickets kept falling around her.

Shorna Akter’s unbeaten 19 off 18 balls provided some late resistance, but Bangladesh could only post 80/8 in their 20 overs. Alongside Renuka’s brilliance, Radha Yadav also shone with three wickets, while Pooja Vastrakar and Deepti Sharma each took one. In reply, Indian openers Shafali Verma and Smriti Mandhana swiftly chased down the target, racing to 70 after just 10 overs and effectively ending the contest early. Bangladesh’s fielding woes, including dropped catches and a costly no-ball that gave Smriti Mandhana a second chance, proved detrimental.

Smriti Mandhana seized the opportunity, scoring a quick half-century and finishing the game with a boundary. India’s commanding performance with both bat and ball secured their place in the final, highlighting their dominance throughout the match.

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Renuka Singh Thakur’s Stellar Spell: 3/10 in Four Overs

In the crucial semifinal clash between India Women and Bangladesh Women, Renuka Singh Thakur delivered a spell of bowling brilliance that left the opposition reeling. Her disciplined and incisive bowling played a pivotal role in dismantling the Bangladesh batting lineup, starting with her first wicket. Renuka’s initial breakthrough came with a pitched-up delivery outside off in the good length area. With a hint of swing, Akter swung her bat, only to find the lone fielder on the leg side at deep square leg, falling victim to Renuka’s precise line and length.

Renuka’s second wicket was a mirror image of her first, further demonstrating her ability to exploit the conditions and outthink the batters. She bowled a length ball around off in the good length area, with a subtle swing into the stumps. Tanjim, aiming to go over cover, mistimed her shot and ended up offering a simple catch. The resemblance to the previous dismissal highlighted Renuka’s strategic prowess, as she continued to apply relentless pressure on the Bangladesh batters.

The third wicket for Renuka was a testament to her versatility and tactical acumen. She bowled a length ball around middle and leg in the back-of-length area, targeting Khatun. Desperate to break free from the shackles, Khatun attempted an aggressive shot but only managed to mistime it, resulting in another straightforward catch. Renuka’s ability to mix her lengths and maintain a tight line ensured that the Bangladesh batters never settled at the crease.

By the end of her spell, Renuka Singh Thakur had remarkable figures of 3/10 in four overs, including a maiden over, with an impressive economy rate of 2.5. Her disciplined bowling allowed only one boundary, underscoring her dominance and control over the game. Renuka’s performance not only stifled the Bangladesh batting lineup but also set the tone for India’s commanding position in the match.

Renuka’s exceptional spell was a masterclass in seam bowling, blending accuracy, swing, and tactical intelligence. Her ability to extract movement from the pitch and consistently hit the right areas made her a nightmare for the Bangladesh batters. As she walked off the field, her team celebrated a bowling performance that will be remembered as one of the highlights of the Asia Cup 2024 Women’s tournament. This spell not only propelled India to a dominant position but also showcased Renuka Singh Thakur’s growing stature as a key player in the Indian bowling attack.

See Also: Women’s Asia Cup 2024: Pre-match Analysis: Can the Bangladesh Women Outplay the Formidable Indian Side?

The Asia Cup 2024 Women’s Semi final is set to be a thrilling encounter as India takes on Bangladesh. Both teams have shown remarkable skill and determination throughout the tournament, setting the stage for an exciting clash. India, known for their strategic play and powerful batting line-up, have been in formidable form, dominating their group stage matches. Their key players have consistently delivered outstanding performances, making them a formidable force in this competition.

On the other hand, Bangladesh has emerged as a resilient and tenacious team, demonstrating exceptional prowess with both bat and ball. Their journey to the semi finals has been marked by impressive victories and standout individual performances, showcasing their ability to compete at the highest level. The stakes are high, and the winner will secure a coveted spot in the Asia Cup 2024 Women’s Final, bringing them one step closer to glory.

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INDW vs BANW: Key Batters Poised to Shine in Women’s Semi-Finals

Shafali Verma: Shafali Verma has been a standout performer for the Indian women’s cricket team in the Asia Cup 2024. With 270 runs in 10 matches, she boasts an impressive average of 33.75 and a striking strike rate of 141.36. Known for her aggressive batting style, Shafali has consistently provided India with explosive starts, putting the opposition bowlers under immense pressure. Her ability to score quickly and dominate the powerplay overs has been a crucial factor in India’s successful campaign so far.

Smriti Mandhana: Smriti Mandhana, another key player for India, has been in sublime form throughout the tournament. Accumulating 265 runs in 10 matches, she has maintained an excellent average of 44.17 and a strike rate of 131.18. Smriti’s elegant stroke play and ability to build innings have made her a cornerstone of India’s batting lineup. Her consistency at the top of the order has not only provided stability but also allowed the middle order to play more freely. Her contributions have been vital in setting competitive totals and chasing down targets effectively.

Murshida Khatun: For Bangladesh, Murshida Khatun has been a significant contributor with the bat. In 8 matches, she has scored 208 runs at an average of 26 and a strike rate of 96.29. While her statistics may not seem as flashy as some of her counterparts, Murshida’s role in the team has been crucial. She has provided solid starts and has anchored the innings, allowing the more aggressive batters to play around her. Her ability to rotate the strike and keep the scoreboard ticking has been essential in building partnerships and laying the foundation for competitive totals.

Nigar Sultana: Nigar Sultana has been a pivotal figure for Bangladesh in the Asia Cup 2024. With 236 runs in 10 matches, she has an average of 33.71 and a strike rate of 95.16. As a middle-order batter, Nigar has often found herself in pressure situations, where she has shown remarkable composure and resilience. Her knack for playing crucial knocks and guiding her team through tough phases has been invaluable. Nigar’s performances have not only steadied the ship for Bangladesh but have also propelled them to key victories, making her a player to watch in the semifinals.

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Bangladesh women’s cricket has witnessed a historic moment as Fariha Trisna clinched her second hat-trick in a dramatic showdown against Australia in the second T20I of the series. The match, held in Mirpur, unfolded with high stakes as both teams aimed for victory.

The Match Scenario

Opting to bat first, Australia faced an early setback with the dismissal of Phoebe Litchfield. However, Grace Harris and Georgia Wareham’s resilient partnership steadied the innings, propelling the Australian score to 91 runs.

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Despite the promising start, Bangladesh’s bowlers displayed determination, claiming wickets at regular intervals. The game’s climax unfolded in the last over, when Ellyse Perry’s aggressive batting seemed to tilt the momentum in Australia’s favor. Nevertheless, Fariha Trisna rose to the occasion, stunning spectators with her remarkable feat. She dismantled Australia’s batting lineup with three consecutive wickets, dismissing Perry, Sophie Molineux, and Beth Mooney.

Fariha Trisna’s Performance

Trisna’s bowling masterclass restricted Australia to a formidable total of 161/8 in their allotted 20 overs. Her figures of 4/19, coupled with a maiden over, showcased her skill and resilience on the field. This remarkable achievement marked the fifth hat-trick in women’s cricket for the year, solidifying Trisna’s status as a standout performer. She sent back Perry, Sophie Molineux and Beth Mooney off the last three deliveries of the innings to register fifth hat-trick in Women’s cricket this year.

Bangladesh’s Challenge

With Bangladesh trailing 0-1 in the series, the pressure was on to secure a crucial victory in the second T20I. Having suffered a clean sweep in the preceding ODIs, Bangladesh aimed to turn the tide in their favor. Trisna’s heroics with the ball injected hope and optimism into the team, fueling their determination to salvage the series.

Fariha Trisna’s historic hat-trick against Australia exemplifies the spirit of resilience and perseverance in Bangladesh women’s cricket. Her exceptional performance not only etched her name in the annals of cricketing history but also inspired her teammates and fans alike.

Earlier, this Bangladeshi left arm pacer bagged an hat-trick on her T20I debut in Asia Cup 2022 against Malaysia. Fariha Tirsna dismissed Winifred Duraisingam on 5(19), Mas Elysa on 0(1) and Mahira Izzati on 0(1). Bangladesh won massive 88 Run Victory against Malaysia.