Bangladesh women beat the Netherlands by 13 runs in a rain-reduced eight-over warm-up fixture on 4 June, with opener Dilara Akter smashing the fastest half-century in Bangladesh women’s Twenty20 history and seamer Fariha Islam Trisna claiming a pair of crucial wickets to seal the victory.
Sent in to bat after losing the toss, Bangladesh were propelled by an explosive opening stand from Dilara Akter and Juairiya Ferdous, who attacked the Dutch bowlers from the outset. The partnership came to an end in the fourth over when Juairiya departed for 13 off 8 balls, having added 42 runs with her opening partner.
Sobhana Mostary came in at number three to continue the momentum alongside Dilara. The spotlight, however, belonged entirely to the right-handed opener. Dilara brought up her half-century off just 22 balls, shattering the previous Bangladesh women’s Twenty20 record of 30 balls held by Rumana Ahmed, set against Pakistan in Lahore in October 2019. She was eventually bowled for 51 off 26 balls, an innings laced with eight boundaries and two sixes. Sobhana Mostary finished unbeaten on 11 off 9, while captain Nigar Sultana Joty chipped in with 9 off 4. Bangladesh closed their eight overs on 98 for 3, setting the Netherlands a target of 99.
The Dutch reply began promisingly, with openers Heather Siegers and Babette de Leede putting on 52 for the first wicket. However, Fariha Islam Trisna broke the stand in the fifth over, removing Siegers for 21. She then returned to dismiss de Leede, who had counterattacked aggressively with 30 off 14 balls but could not carry her side over the line. The Netherlands were eventually bowled out for 85, falling short by 13 runs, as Nigar Sultana Joty’s side headed into the World Cup on the back of a timely confidence-boosting win.
