Bangladesh’s slow-left arm spinner Nahida Akter continued her rich vein of form as she bowled a brilliant last over to help her side clinch a narrow victory against Papua New Guinea in the ICC Women's T20 World Cup Qualifier on Monday at Dundee.
In the rain-effected match PNG were given a total of 59 runs in eight overs and they reached 48/3 after seven overs needing 11 runs in the final over.
But Nahida, who claimed the player of the math award in the first match against USA on Sunday, conceded just four runs and picked up two wickets to help grab her second player of the series award and help her side keep their hundred percent record in the tournament.
Chasing the total, PNG made a positive start as they reached 19 without losing any wickets after three overs but Nahida broke the opening stand in the second ball of the fourth over.
@BCBtigers women made a winning start in the World T20I Qualifiers as they beat the United States by eight wickets in Lochlands, Arbroath Sunday.https://t.co/JtpwbY3jyB#BCB #TIGERS #BCBTIGERS #BANGLADESHCRICKET #BANGLADESH #CRICKET #USA #USACRICKET #WORLDT20I
— Dhaka Tribune Sports (@Sport_DT) September 1, 2019
The 19-year old bowler increased the pressure by bowling five dot balls but conceded a six in the last ball of that over to somewhat release it.
Just when the batting side looked to be falling short of the chase they picked up 14 runs from the seventh over bowled by Bangladesh captain Salma Khatun to raise their hopes but Nahida kept her cool and emerged as the victorious in the final over.
She finished with a figure of 3-10 while right-arm seam bowler Ritu Moni grabbed two wickets conceding just 10 runs from two overs. Tanya Ruma scored highest 12 for PNG.
Earlier in the day, Bangladesh top order struggled after losing the toss. Opener Sanjida Islam made 19 but others failed to reach double figure and half of the batters went to pavilion leaving the side on 46 in 11th over.
The first match between Bangladesh women’s team and their Papua New Guinea counterparts in the World T20I Qualifiers was abandoned without a ball bowled due to rain in Scotland Saturday.https://t.co/4NFBcSYwu6#CRICKET #BANGLADESH #BANGLADESHCRICKET #BCBTIGERS #BCB #TIGERS
— Dhaka Tribune Sports (@Sport_DT) August 31, 2019
The women in red and green would be in real embarrassment as they continued losing wickets but number seven Fahima Khatun fought against the tide and helped her side reached the three-figure mark with some whirlwind batting.
The 26-year old reached 32 off just 18 balls with the aid of five wickets before rain interrupted the game and ended Bangladesh’s batting innings on 103-8 at 16.3 overs.
The match was supposed to take place on Saturday but not a single ball was bowled on that day due to rain and it was transferred into the reserve day.
With the win Bangladesh have now four points from two matches and they will play their last group A match against hosts Scotland Tuesday.