In the very first match of the ICC U19 Women’s T20 World Cup 2023, Bangladesh pulled off a remarkable win against Australia in Benoni. Bangladesh needs to be credited for their brilliant bowling effort and Dilara Akter’s knock besides the other valuable batting efforts helped Bangladesh win.
Australia won the toss and elected to bat first. Posting 130/5, Australia was perhaps looking for a better outing with the bat. Disha Biswas was instrumental in getting the first breakthrough for Bangladesh dismissing Kate Pelle for 5 and was back in the third over to dismiss Paris Bowdler for 7. The dependable duo of Claire Moore and Ella Hayward rebuilt Australia from when they were reeling at 2-22. The duo batted with a lot of poise and elegance in their partnership. Claire Moore scored a solid 52 before Rabeya Khan got the better of her and Marufa Akter dismissed Lucy Hamilton and subsequently dismissed Ella Hayward for 39. Amy Smith’s 16 off 7 and Rhys McKenna’s 12 off 6 propelled Australia to a formidable 130/5. Marufa Akter and Disha Biswas were a cut above the rest with 2 wickets respectively, Rabeya Khan with her 1 wicket was ably supported by the Bangladeshi bowlers who were accurate with their lines and lengths and were economical at the same time.
52 off 51 Balls for Claire Moore as she became the 1st player to score Fifty in the U19 Women’s World Cup tournament.
Australia U19: 130/5 (20)
Bangladesh U19 need 131 to win. #CricketTwitter #U19T20WorldCup pic.twitter.com/R6PlU9yghy
— Female Cricket (@imfemalecricket) January 14, 2023
Bangladesh was in to bat and were off to a tough start losing Misty Shaha for a golden duck in the very first ball of the innings. However, Afia Prottasha and Dilara Akter batted with grit and determination stitching a lovely partnership. Dilara Akter’s calm and composed 40 set the tone while Prottasha’s 24 was brilliant to compliment her but their twin dismissals by Chloe Ainsworth meant Bangladesh still needed 60-odd runs. It was then that the duo of Shorna Akter and Sumaiya Akter joined hands and with their brilliant knocks of 23 and 31 sealed the deal for Bangladesh guiding them to their first win of the tournament.
HISTORICC!!!
What a win for Bangladesh U19 in the first-ever match of the U19 Women’s World Cup 😍#CricketTwitter #U19T20WorldCup pic.twitter.com/be3YPARdJg
— Female Cricket (@imfemalecricket) January 14, 2023
Bangladesh has so far been nothing short of spectacular in this tournament winning their warm-up games where they managed to win versus India and carried the vein of form to this match that was brilliant to see and they are certainly a team to watch out for in this tournament. Australia would want to reevaluate its strategies and come back stronger.
Brief Scores: AUS 130/5 in 20 overs (C Moore 52, E Hayward 35; M Akter 2/29, D Biswas 2/25) lost to BAN 132/3 in 18 overs (D Akter 40, S Akter 31; C Ainsworth 2/9)
I am a first year postgraduate student pursuing a MA in Media and Communication Studies at Christ University, Bengaluru. I am a podcaster, blogger and an avid cricket fan. When not glued to cricket matches, you can find me submerged in books and thinking about cricket all the time.