Bangladesh could be on to something big this World Cup
Bangladesh beat Australia in any ICC event for the first time in the U19 Women's T20 World Cup.
Bangladesh’s tournament preparation began with an impressive win over tournament hosts South Africa in a warm-up fixture on 9 January, which they won by seven runs (DLS method).
Right-arm medium-pace opening bowler Marufa Akter took a match-winning 3/13 in the encounter, rattling the South Africa lower order to restrict the side to 98/9. And Akter was again one of the protagonists in the win over Australia with 2/29 which accounted for Ella Hayward and Lucy Hamilton.
Bangladesh returned with an even bigger scalp on 11 January, beating India in their second warm-up fixture. After scoring 121/7, they managed to hold India to 118/3 in their allotted overs. Leading Bangladesh’s charge was Shorna Akter (78 from 48), who also played an able supporting act (23 from 18) in the group match against Australia.
The seven-wicket win over pre-tournament favourites Australia completes the set, making it three wins from three since they arrived in South Africa, all coming against teams with higher rankings in senior women’s cricket.
Such form marks the Tigresses out as serious contenders going forward in this competition.
Former international players and mentors talk about the inaugural ICC Women's U19 T20 World Cup.
Bangladesh have pedigree at this level in recent years. Three years ago it was the U19 Men’s team who travelled to South Africa for the ICC U19 T20 World Cup, with the youngsters starting off with a tie against Australia in their warm-up fixture.
They brushed aside Zimbabwe and Scotland in the group stage, before going on to defeat South Africa, New Zealand and much-fancied India in the knock-out games to lift the World Cup trophy.
The U19 Women’s team are aiming to continue Bangladesh’s recent record of success in U19 international cricket, and – although there is a long way to go in the tournament – the Tigresses have made an even more promising start.