Juairiya Ferdous' blistering fifty guides Bangladesh to 6-wicket win over Netherlands

Bangladesh got their Women’s T20 World Cup campaign off to a winning start, beating Netherlands by 6 wickets on Sunday, June 14 at Edgbaston, Birmingham. After opting to bat first, Netherlands were restricted to 139/8 in their allotted 20 overs, with captain Babette de Leede leading from the front with a brilliant half-century (50 off 45).

For Bangladesh, Marufa Akter (2/31) chipped in with two wickets. In reply, Bangladesh got off to a spectacular start courtesy of a fiery half-century from Juairiya Ferdous, who became the second player from her country to notch up a fifty at the Women’s T20 World Cup. 

Following her dismissal, Bangladesh suffered a collapse with captain Nigar Sultana getting bowled for a golden duck, while Dilara Akter (26 off 23) and Shobhana Mostary (4 off 10) also departed in quick succession. 

However, Sharmin Akhter (37* off 32) held her nerve and stitched a match-winning 56-run stand off 43 balls for the fifth wicket alongside Shorna Akter (18* off 17) to take her team over the line in 19.1 overs. As a result, Bangladesh pulled off their highest successful run chase in Women's T20 World Cup history and opened their account on the points table.

Top run-scorer of the Match

Top wicket-taker of the Match

Player of the Match

Juairiya Ferdous was adjudged Player of the Match for her blistering half-century on her World Cup debut. She played a fiery innings of 50 (33), studded with seven fours and two sixes to help her team get off to a terrific start, which set up their run chase.

Turning Point

Netherlands gave a couple of reprieves to Bangladesh opener Juairiya Ferdous, first in the second over, when she pulled Heather Siegers towards Sterre Kalis at deep mid-wicket region. However, the Dutch fielder couldn’t complete the catch cleanly. Later, Robine Rijke couldn’t hang on to catch off her own bowling, giving a reprieve to Ferduous on 18. Ferdous ensured that Netherlands were left ruing their chances as she scored a spectacular half-century to set up a perfect platform for their chase.

What did the captains say:

Winning Captain, Nigar Sultana (Bangladesh women):  

I think we started really well with the bowling, I guess. Marufa delivered what we expect from her and alongside with all the spinners and the bowlers, we’ve been bowling really well. So what we have targeted about the first innings, we have got it and the way actually Juairiya played in the middle, she was enjoying herself and Dilara was helping her a lot. Big drama was there, but still I think Sharmin held her nerve and Shorna was there. They finished the game, so we are happy.

Losing Captain, Babette de Leede (Netherlands women):

I think in all three aspects of the game, it wasn’t quite the fire we hoped for with the bat. I think we were a few runs short. We never really got going. We lost a bit too many wickets on the way. I think in the field as well, Bangladesh got off to a flyer. The fielding, we dropped a few catches in the beginning. So I think a lot to learn, a lot to improve from a great experience overall. (Talks about the comeback after the explosive start from Bangladesh) That was outstanding. I think our spinners bowled really well in the that phase. As you said, they brought us right back in the game. We were in the game until the very last over, so it could have gone either way really. So great job for our spinners.