Bangladesh were brought back to earth with a thud at the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup on Wednesday, bowled out for just 77 before Australia chased the target down in 9.3 overs to win by nine wickets at Headingley.
The pitch carried a tinge of green and offered pace bowlers early assistance, with commentators Ian Bishop and Julia Price suggesting a score of 180 to 200 was achievable for a side willing to apply themselves. Bangladesh managed less than half that, and the match was settled long before Australia needed to break a sweat.
Bangladesh captain Nigar Sultana had spoken before the toss about her desire to bat first, wanting her batters to play with freedom. What followed was anything but. From the second over onwards, the innings unravelled in stages. Dilara Akter was bowled playing across the line off Kim Garth, and the same bowler dismissed Juairiya Ferdous for eight in identical fashion. Ellyse Perry, the evergreen Australian allrounder, then removed the two middle-order mainstays Sobhana Mostary and Swarna Akter in quick succession, before captain Sophie Molineux chipped in with the wicket of Sharmin Akter via left-arm spin.
At 27 for five after eight overs, Bangladesh were in ruins. Nigar and Ritu Moni offered some resistance with a 32-run partnership off 52 balls, but neither batter found any real fluency. Ritu departed for 16 off 26 balls, while Nigar ground her way to just 27 off 47. The final total of 77 was actually below Bangladesh’s previous lowest score against Australia in T20 internationals, their earlier low having been 78.
Australia, even without injured openers Phoebe Litchfield and Ash Gardner, barely needed to engage. Maruf a Akter did remove Beth Mooney for 10, but Georgia Voll and Perry knocked off the runs with ease. Voll finished unbeaten on 45 off 32 balls, Perry on 19 off 15, and the six-time champions completed their second successive victory in the tournament without a moment of concern.
Bangladesh, who opened their campaign with a win over the Netherlands, now face Pakistan in Southampton on Saturday and will need a significant improvement in their batting if they are to stay in contention.
