Bangladesh Women put themselves in a commanding position against Thailand in the Super Six stage of the Women’s T20 World Cup Qualifiers, posting 165 for eight from 20 overs on Wednesday in Mulpani, Nepal, after losing the toss and batting first.
The innings started on a sour note. Dilara Akter walked back first ball without scoring, and Sharmin Akter failed to settle, falling for 11 as Thailand sensed an opening with the new ball.
Bangladesh needed calm heads, and they found them in Juairiya Ferdous and Shobhana Mostary. The pair absorbed the early pressure, rotated strike smartly, and refused to let the innings drift.
Their third-wicket stand of 110 runs flipped the match on its head. Thailand lost control of their lengths, and Bangladesh punished anything loose with clean, confident hitting.
Juairiya played with freedom and intent. She struck 56 from 43 balls, mixing placement with power and clearing the ropes four times to keep the run rate healthy.
Shobhana anchored the innings with authority. Her 59 from 42 deliveries, laced with nine fours and a six, gave Bangladesh structure and belief through the middle overs.
Once both set batters departed, the momentum dipped. Bangladesh struggled to find the same rhythm and lost wickets in quick succession.
Ritu Moni provided a late spark. She smashed 15 from just six balls, a brief but valuable cameo that pushed the total beyond Thailand’s comfort zone.
The rest of the lower order could not add much. Nigar Sultana Joty, Swarna Akter, Rabeya Khan and Fahima Khatun all fell cheaply as Thailand tightened up at the death.
