Hayley Jensen and Leigh Kasperek took three wickets apiece as New Zealand produced a tremendous comeback to down Bangladesh at the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup.
- New Zealand bowled Bangladesh out for 74 to boost their semi-final hopes
- Three wickets apiece for Hayley Jensen and Leigh Kasperek helped the White Ferns win with the lowest score ever defended at a World Cup
- Ritu Moni took four wickets to help dismiss New Zealand for 91
The White Ferns were up against it having been bowled out for 91 but the bowlers did the job to dismiss Bangladesh 17 runs short of the target in the first meeting between the teams.
Ritu Moni’s first four-wicket haul was not enough to steer Bangladesh to an historic victory in Group A, with her four for 18 the best figures of the Women’s T20 World Cup 2020 so far.
They battled in the modest chase but were dismissed for 74, with the White Ferns’ effort the lowest score to ever be successfully defended in the competition.
Bangladesh kept things tight before Rachel Priest found her feet to steer New Zealand to 33 without loss after they chose to bat.
Captain Salma Khatun stepped in to halt the flow by removing her opposite number Sophie Devine for 12, Fahima Khatun with the catch at backward point.
And the skipper was in a merciless mood as she trapped Priest lbw for 25.
Suzie Bates helped New Zealand find rhythm but she soon fell when bowled by Ritu for 15.
Bangladesh’s bowling brilliance continued as Maddy Green was stumped by Nigar Sultana Joty off Rumana Ahmed before they claimed their second scalp in as many balls when Jensen was run out backing up.
The pressure continued to mount as Katey Martin perished for six when caught at point by Fahima Khatun off Ritu.
Anna Petersen then fell when Fargana Hoque Pinky ran in from long-on to take a stunning diving catch off Ritu, while an impressive take from Fahima stopped Amelia Kerr (5) from saving the day.
Ritu ended her stint with the first four-wicket haul Bangladesh have taken in the World Cup and Rumana took her second when Kasperek was stumped for two.
It was only fitting that skipper Salma would be there to polish the innings, trapping Lea Tahuhu lbw as New Zealand lost their eight wickets for just 25 runs.
It was only the third time the White Ferns had been kept under 100 runs at a World Cup but it was clear they weren’t going to go down without a fight as Jensen (three for 11) and Kasperek (three for 23) made amends.
Bangladesh soon had batting woes of their own, Kasperek dealing with Murshida Khatun (11) while Ayasha Rahman was caught by Devine at mid-off off Jensen.
Held at 32-3 at the midway point, Bangladesh’s eagerness to lower the required rate proved costly as Fargana Hoque and Ritu Moni were both run-out in comfortable fashion.
Jensen took her second scalp when she trapped Rumana lbw for one before Bates caught Sobhana Mostaray for seven at mid-on off Devine.
Jahanara Alam was the seventh to depart when she was bowled by spinner Kerr, before Jensen took her third scalp in the same manner against Fahima.
Salma could only manage four before she was bowled by Kasperek, who claimed her third against Nigar Sultana (21) in the final over to seal the win.
The win for New Zealand means Group A is perfectly set-up for a final showdown, with a Trans-Tasman match on Monday seeing them face Australia on Monday, with the winner set to reach the semi-finals.
Scores in brief
New Zealand beat Bangladesh by 17 runs, Junction Oval, Melbourne
New Zealand 91 all out, 18.2 overs (Rachel Priest 25; Ritu Moni 4-18, Salma Khatun 3-7)
Bangladesh 74 all out, 19.5 overs (Nigar Sultana Joty 21, Hayley Jensen 3-11, Leigh Kasperek 3-23)
Courtesy of the ICC
Comments from our correspondent Julian Thompson:
As seen on SKY TV, New Zealand (91, 18.2 overs) beat Bangladesh (74 all out, 19.5 overs) to win by 17 runs
Rachel Priest 25; Suzi Bates 15; Ritu Moni 4/18; Salma Khatun 3/7; Rumana Ahmed 2/17;
Sultana Joty 21; Hayley Jensen 3/11; Leigh Kasperek 3/23; Amelia Kerr 1/10; Sophie Devine 1/14
Sophie Devine (12) made four changes in her inaugural year as NZ captain. Opening with Rachel Priest, they posted 66-2
Thereafter, 8 New Zealand wickets fell for 25 runs off 36 balls. On 68-5 NZ lost three quick wickets, firstly Suzie Bates (15)
Secondly commentators described Maddy Green’s (11) dismissal as an ‘easy stumping.’ Thirdly Hayley Jensen (2) was ‘run out’
Thereafter, no batters made it into double figures. By the Hundred ball benchmark (16.4 overs) NZ were 85-8 and looking wobbly
NZ were bowled out for 91 with 8 balls to spare, scoring their 2nd lowest ever total in international TT20
Needing 92 to win, Bangladesh’s score was accelerated by Lea Tahuhu (0/5) whose wayward bowling added three wides
For Bangladesh, only three players made double figures, including opener Murshida Khatun (11) playing in her eighth match
Established opener Ayasha Rahman (1) found she was pinned down by Amelia Kerr (1/10) and fell to Hayley Jensen (3/11)
Rahman was caught by NZ captain Sophie Devine who later took the match-winning catch and bowled herself (1/14) in place of Tahuhu
Drama hit the match during the tenth over immediately after Sultana Joty batting at No.4, had struck Anna Peterson for two runs
Peterson’s next ball struck Joty beneath her face-guard. The game was stopped while Joty retired hurt, taken off the field by medical buggy
Sultana Jota (21) returned on the Hundred ball benchmark (57-8). No other Bangladesh batters made double figures
Needing 34 from the last 20 balls with two wickets to spare, Bangladesh fell short, scoring only 17 more runs from 19 balls
New Zealand won the match when Sultana Joty was caught by Sophie Devine off Leigh Kasperek (3/23) with the score on 74.
New Zealand beat Bangladesh to win by 17 runs Scorecard at https://www.ecb.co.uk/matches/11005
