Bangladesh Women produced a commanding all-round performance to defeat Scotland Women by 34 runs in the 4th match of the Scotland Women’s T20I Tri-Series in Edinburgh. After being asked to bat, Bangladesh overcame a couple of early setbacks before their experienced middle order took charge, while their bowlers later dismantled Scotland’s batting lineup with a disciplined display. The victory was built around a captain’s knock from Nigar Sultana and a collective bowling effort that never allowed Scotland to gain momentum during the chase.
The innings began positively for Bangladesh Women as Dilara Akter looked intent on scoring quickly. She struck 15 runs from just 10 deliveries, including two fours and a six, helping Bangladesh race to 15 before the first wicket fell in the fourth over. However, Scotland struck back immediately as Juairiya Ferdous departed without scoring, leaving Bangladesh at 19/2 in 2.2 overs. Taj Nehar then joined Dilara and added brief stability, but Scotland continued to chip away with wickets. Taj contributed 4 off 3 balls before Kathryn Bryce removed her at 23/3 in the fourth over, putting Bangladesh under early pressure.
With the innings in need of rebuilding, captain Nigar Sultana and Sobhana Mostary produced the defining partnership of the match. The pair stitched together a superb 77-run stand for the fourth wicket, absorbing pressure before gradually accelerating the scoring rate. Nigar played the anchor’s role brilliantly, compiling 58 from 47 deliveries with six boundaries and a six, while Sobhana complemented her perfectly with 39 from 31 balls, striking five fours and one six. Their partnership lifted Bangladesh from a precarious 23/3 to 100/4 and completely shifted the momentum. Sobhana eventually fell in the 13th over, caught by Priyanaz Chatterji off Katherine Fraser, but by then the foundation had been firmly established.
Bangladesh continued to push forward in the death overs through another useful partnership between Nigar Sultana and Shorna Akter. The duo added 45 runs for the fifth wicket, ensuring Scotland could not regain complete control. Shorna contributed a valuable 20 off 23 balls, while Nigar continued to find the boundary regularly. The Bangladesh skipper finally departed for a match-winning 58 in the penultimate over with the score at 145/5. Shorna also fell shortly afterward, but Ritu Moni’s unbeaten 7 from four balls and nine extras helped Bangladesh finish on a competitive 152/6 from their 20 overs.
Scotland’s bowling effort had several bright moments despite conceding a challenging total. Kathryn Bryce was the standout performer, claiming 2/26 from her four overs and providing crucial breakthroughs in the powerplay. Maisie Maceira also picked up 2/23 in her three overs, removing both Nigar Sultana and Shorna Akter late in the innings. Kirstie Gordon claimed 1/18 from four economical overs, while Katherine Fraser took 1/20. Priyanaz Chatterji bowled three overs for 25 runs, and Abtaha Maqsood returned figures of 0/11 from two overs. Gabriella Fontenla endured a difficult outing, conceding 29 runs from her two overs.
Chasing 153, Scotland’s innings never truly gained traction as Bangladesh’s bowlers struck regularly. The chase got off to the worst possible start when Katherine Fraser was dismissed without scoring at 1/1 in the opening over. Darcy Carter managed only one run before becoming the second wicket at 2/1, leaving Scotland in immediate trouble. Captain Kathryn Bryce attempted to counterattack with a brisk 21 from 14 balls, including three fours and a six, and shared a 34-run partnership with Sarah Bryce to revive hopes. However, her dismissal at 36/3 in the seventh over once again tilted the contest heavily in Bangladesh’s favour.
Sarah Bryce then fought hard to keep Scotland in the contest. The wicketkeeper-batter produced the innings’ highest score for her side, making 40 from 41 deliveries with five boundaries. Alongside Ailsa Lister, who contributed 16 from 12 balls, she added 38 runs for the fourth wicket and briefly steadied the innings. Scotland reached 74/4 before Ailsa’s dismissal triggered another collapse. Sarah Bryce’s wicket at 86/5 in the 13th over effectively ended any realistic hopes of a successful chase.
The middle and lower order failed to provide sustained support thereafter. Megan McColl scored 7, Priyanaz Chatterji made 18 from 14 deliveries, Kirstie Gordon added 5, Abtaha Maqsood managed 1, Gabriella Fontenla scored 3, while Maisie Maceira remained unbeaten on 2. Scotland lost wickets at regular intervals and were eventually bowled out for 118 in 19 overs, falling 34 runs short of the target.
Bangladesh’s bowling unit shared the workload impressively. Ritu Moni delivered the match-winning spell, claiming outstanding figures of 4/12 from two overs, including the key wickets of Sarah Bryce, Priyanaz Chatterji, Kirstie Gordon and Abtaha Maqsood. Marufa Akter provided the early breakthroughs with 2/13 from three overs, while Sanjida Akter Meghla matched her with 2/23 from four overs. Rabeya Khan chipped in with 1/26, Sobhana Mostary claimed 1/14, and Fariha Trisna kept things tight despite going wicketless with figures of 0/30 from four overs. Their collective effort ensured Scotland never built the partnerships required to challenge the target.
With a composed half-century from Nigar Sultana, a crucial 77-run partnership with Sobhana Mostary, and a clinical bowling display led by Ritu Moni, Bangladesh Women secured a convincing 34-run victory. The result highlighted Bangladesh’s strength in both departments and reinforced their credentials in the Scotland Women’s T20I Tri-Series, while Scotland were left to reflect on missed opportunities after failing to capitalize on their early success with the ball.
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