Day 12 Wrap: Bangladesh sign off impressively; England march into semis with thumping win
BANGLADESH SMASH UAE BUT MISS OUT ON QUALIFICATION
Toss: UAE won the toss and chose to bat first
Result: Bangladesh won by 5 wickets
The Bangladesh bowlers restricted UAE to a below-par total, which was easily overhauled by their batters as they finished their campaign in fine fettle.
UAE had to contend with Marufa Akter’s red-hot new ball spell which accounted for skipper Theertha Satish (4 from 4) and Samaira Dharnidharka (0 from 2) in the very first over of the innings. Hereafter, Lavanya Keny (29 from 46) and Mahika Gaur (17 from 27) began the repair job, with Keny playing the anchor while Gaur went for her runs.
However, after Gaur fell to Reya Shika (1/9), Bangladesh throttled the scoring rate with wickets at regular intervals. Rabeya’s 3/14 restricted UAE to 69/9.
In pursuit of quick runs and an enormous net run rate boost, Bangladesh lost regular wickets in the powerplay overs. Misty Shaha (1 from 3) and Afia Prottasha (15 from 15) fell to Indhuja Nandakumar (2/34), while Sumaiya Akter (0 from 3) was out to Gaur (1/16).
Shorna Akter (38 from 19) then took charge, scoring 20 runs off the final powerplay over to get the batting team to 46/3. Samaira Dharnidharka (2/18) struck twice in the ninth over, but by then Bangladesh were within striking distance of their target.
Having put their foot down, the Tigresses won the game with 65 balls to spare, but it wasn’t quite enough. Their net run rate disadvantage saw them finish third in Group 1 of the Super Six stage, with India and Australia qualifying ahead of them.
ENGLAND SHOW THEIR CLASS IN MASSIVE WIN
Toss: England won the toss and chose to bat first
Result: England won by 95 runs
England outplayed the West Indies in all three departments to fetch themselves another comprehensive victory.
Beginning in their usual tempo, the England openers went flat out for runs. They were able to provide a quick start but Asabi Callender (1/28) dismissed Liberty Heap (13 from 16) before England could run away with the game. A good partnership between skipper Grace Scrivens (56 from 43) and Niamh Holland (21 from 21) ensured England reached 100 by the 12th over.
After losing Holland and Scrivens in back-to-back overs, England looked like they might end up short of their expected total. However, attacking cricket from Seren Smale (28* from 19) and Charis Pavely (29* from 16) ensured that they got to a commanding 179/4. West Indies skipper Ashmini Munisar was the pick of the West Indies bowlers with her 2/32.
England new-ball pair Ellie Anderson (5/12) and Alexa Stonehouse (2/15) were too good for the West Indies as the batting side were reduced to 15/3 in 4 overs. The dangerous Sophia Smale (1/17), fresh off a 3/11 against Ireland, further reduced them to 23/4 by accounting for the key batter Zaida James (5 from 18).
Order was restored by Djenaba Joseph (44* from 42) and Callender (17 from 28) through their fifth wicket stand of 47 runs. However, Anderson returned with a vicious spell to reduce West Indies from 70/4 to 76/8 and complete her five-wicket haul. West Indies finished with 84/8 in their allotted overs, with Anderson's figures standing at 5/12 from four overs.
This win helped England top Group 2 of the Super Six stage, finishing ahead of New Zealand.