Bangladesh women’s cricket team are on the verge of qualifying for the semi-finals of the 2024 Asia Cup Twenty20 after thrashing their Malaysian counterparts by 114 runs in Dambulla Wednesday.
The Tigresses now have four points from three matches, same as Group B leaders Sri Lanka who have played a game less.
Thailand are third with two points from two matches while already eliminated Malaysia are at the bottom with zero points from three games.
Only a convincing Thailand victory over the Lankans later Wednesday would deny Bangladesh a place in the semis of the tournament’s ninth edition.
As things stand, the women in red and green, who clinched the title in 2018, are scheduled to meet record seven-time winners India in Friday's last four clash.
India finished as Group A champions with maximum six points from three matches while Pakistan advanced to the semis as the runners-up side with four points from three games.
Batting first Wednesday, the Tigresses posted a commanding 191 for the loss of two wickets thanks to half-centuries from Murshida Khatun (80) and skipper Nigar Sultana Joty (62*).
Murshida hammered 10 fours and a six in her 59-ball knock while Nigar struck five boundaries and a couple of over boundaries in 37 deliveries.
This was Murshida’s sixth T20 international fifty, and Nigar’s eighth.
In reply, Malaysia struggled for the entirety of their innings before eventually posting 77 losing eight wickets.
Nahida Akter took two wickets for the Tigresses.
Bangladesh had earlier begun their campaign with a seven-wicket loss to hosts Sri Lanka last Saturday before bouncing back with a victory against Thailand by a similar margin two days later.
The Tigresses put in a disappointing batting performance against the Lankans, managing only 111 runs losing eight wickets which the home side chased down easily in 17.1 overs.
Nigar top-scored for her side with an unbeaten 48 while Nahida bagged all three Sri Lankan wickets.
The women in red and green then scripted a comeback against Thailand, restricting them to 96 for the loss of nine wickets before reaching their destination with 15 balls to spare.
Rabeya Khan led the way for the Tigresses with four wickets while Murshida made match-highest 50.
11TH MATCH
Bangladesh women 191/2 (Murshida 80, Nigar 62*) beat Malaysia women 77/8 (Elsa 20, Nahida 2/13) by 114 runs