Scotland succumbs to the big-stage pressure after Saskia Horley takes a three-fer as they fall short on their T20 World Cup debut.
Finally, the much-awaited ICC event of the year, the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup 2024 is underway with the official hosts, Bangladesh led by skipper Nigar Sultana Joty, up against the Women’s T20 World Cup debutants Scotland, led by skipper Kathryn Bryce in the tournament opener on 3rd October 2024 at the Sharjah Cricket Stadium.
This is the 9th edition of the tournament, which was originally scheduled to be played in Bangladesh, however, it is now shifted to the United Arab Emirates (UAE), courtesy of unforeseen circumstances in the host nation.
Bangladesh skipper Nigar Sultana Joty, playing her 100th T20I, won the toss and opted to bat first against Scotland at the Sharjah Cricket Stadium. The Bangladesh openers, Murshida Khatun and Shathi Rani got their side off to a steady start with a 26-run opening partnership. Fittingly, skipper Kathryn Bryce picked up the wicket of Murshida Khatun to provide the first-ever T20 World Cup wicket for Scotland.
Sobhana Mostary joined Shathi Rani at the crease and the duo stitched a crucial 42-run partnership for the 2nd wicket to take their side past the 50-run mark. Katherine Fraser picked up the wicket of their opening batter Shathi to provide the 2nd breakthrough for her side. Bangladesh eventually ended up with a total of 119/7 in their quota of 20 overs. Bangladesh kept losing wickets at regular intervals, as a result, they couldn’t form a substantial partnership. They lost their last five wickets for just 51 runs.
Sobhana Mostary (36 off 38 balls), Shathi Rani (29 off 32 balls), and skipper Nigar Sultana Joty (18 off 18 balls) were the top performers with the bat for Bangladesh. Saskia Horley (2-0-13-3), skipper Kathryn Bryce, Olivia Bell, and Katherine Fraser returned with figures (4-0-23-1), and Abtaha Maqsood (4-0-24-0) were the top performers with the ball for Scotland.
Chasing a target of 120, Scotland didn’t have the best of starts, losing Saskia Horley early for 8. Fahima Khatun picked up the wicket of Saskia Horley to provide the first breakthrough for Bangladesh. Scotland kept losing wickets at regular intervals and as a result, couldn’t form a match-defining partnership. As a result, they were eventually restricted to 103/7 in their quota of overs, falling short of the target by 16 runs.
The 19-run 2nd wicket partnership between the Bryce sisters, Kathryn and Sarah was the highest partnership of the innings. Wicket-keeper batter Sarah Bryce (49* off 52 balls), was the lone warrior for her side alongside skipper Kathryn Bryce (11 off 11 balls), and Ailsa Lister (11 off 12 balls), were the top performers with the bat for Scotland. Ritu Moni (4-0-15-2), Nahida Akter (4-0-19-1), Rabeya Khan (4-0-20-1), Fahima Khatun (4-0-21-1), and Marufa Akter (3-0-17-1) were the top performers with the ball for Bangladesh.
Bangladesh’s Ritu Moni was awarded the Player of the Match for her brilliant spell (4-0-15-2) with the ball for her side.
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