Bangladesh women qualified for the 2016 ICC World Twenty20 after thrashing Zimbabwe by 31 runs in the qualifiers semi-finals at Terdthai Cricket Ground in Bangkok, Thailand yesterday.
The women in red and green once again put in a dominating display on their way to progressing to the qualifiers final against Ireland, scheduled to be held tomorrow.
Asked to bat first, Bangladesh posted a modest 89/5 from their 20 overs with middle-order batter Farjana Hoque scoring a run-a-ball 43, featuring four boundaries, while opener Sharmin Akhter chipped in with a 34-ball 22.
In reply, Zimbabwe were skittled out for just 58 as leg-spinner Rumana Ahmed continued her great run in the tournament. Player of the match Rumana scalped four miserly wickets conceding only eight runs to take her tournament wickets tally to 12; the highest. Leg-break bowler Fahima Khatun and off-spinner Shaila Sharmin picked up two wickets each.
“The team is very happy. There is a lot of excitement. This is the first time we have qualified for the ICC Women’s World T20. Last time, we played directly in the event but this time we needed to qualify so we’re very happy,” Bangladesh captain Jahanara Alam was quoted as saying in the official ICC website yesterday.
Bangladesh and Ireland will join hosts India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Australia, New Zealand, the West Indies, England and South Africa in the tournament proper next year.
