Nigar Sultana Joty’s Bangladesh defeated Kathryn Bryce’s Scotland in the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup 2024 opener held in Sharjah. The win marks Bangladesh’s first victory at a Women’s T20 World Cup since 2014, providing a perfect start to their Group B campaign.
For Scotland, despite an outstanding effort by Sarah Bryce (49* off 52), the lack of support saw them fall short on their tournament debut, under the challenging afternoon heat of the UAE.
Bangladesh clinch the tournament opener against Scotland | WT20WC 2024
Defending a total of 119/7, Bangladesh’s bowlers kept making regular breakthroughs in the Scotland batting lineup. Fahima Khatun triggered the first wicket, stumping Saskia Horley (8 off 12) with the help of keeper Nigar Sultana.
Marufa Akter then clean-bowled Scotland’s captain Kathryn Bryce (11 off 11) just before the end of the powerplay, halting any momentum the Scottish side had started building.
Despite the Bryce sisters’ efforts, Bangladesh continued to apply pressure, and the dismissal of Ailsa Lister (11 off 12) to Rabeya Khan put the Scots at 49/3 halfway through their innings. Sarah Bryce, though standing firm, couldn’t find enough support from the lower order. Scotland ended their chase on 103/7, falling 16 runs short.
Bangladesh strikes rock Scotland in Powerplay | WT20WC 2024
Bangladesh Set a Defendable Total
Earlier, after winning the toss and choosing to bat, Bangladesh’s openers Shathi Rani and Murshida Khatun aimed to start positively. However, disciplined Scottish bowling limited their early scoring. Khatun (12 off 14) fell in the fifth over, mistiming a shot to give Kathryn Bryce her first wicket.
Sobhana Mostary and Rani rebuilt the innings, but Rani (29 off 32) was dismissed going after Fraser, while a run-out sent Taj Nehar (0 off 1) back to the pavilion quickly.
Mostary (36 off 39) and Nigar Sultana (18 off 18) pushed Bangladesh’s score towards a competitive one. Fahima Khatun’s late cameo (10* off 5) gave Bangladesh the final boost, closing their innings at 119/7.
Despite Horley’s career-best bowling figures of 3/13, Scotland couldn’t prevent Bangladesh from clinching victory.
