Bangladesh’s preparations for the Women’s T20 World Cup 2026 have taken another hit after they were beaten by the Netherlands by 8 runs. This loss followed a day earlier, when Bangladesh fell to Scotland by 8 wickets in Edinburgh, leaving them with back-to-back defeats in the build-up.
Quick facts
- Result: Netherlands beat Bangladesh by 8 runs
- Netherlands score: 162/5 in 20 overs
- Bangladesh score: 154/8 in 20 overs
- Netherlands’ breakthrough: first-ever win over Bangladesh in Women’s T20 cricket
- Player of the Match: Heather Siegers
For the Netherlands, it was a landmark triumph—just like Scotland’s earlier win over Bangladesh—because it marked their first success against Bangladesh in this format. The momentum matters even more with the Netherlands set to face Bangladesh in Group B next month as their tournament opener at the World Cup.
Sent in to bat, the Netherlands produced a disciplined and competitive total of 162 for 5. Heather Siegers played the central role with a standout all-round display, supported by steady contributions across the top and middle order.
Siegers anchored the innings with 52 off 43 balls, building partnerships while keeping the pressure on. When it was time to bowl, she returned to deliver the decisive impact, finishing with 3 wickets for 39 and helping turn the contest in the Netherlands’ favour.
The Netherlands’ innings began with a solid platform as their openers added 57 runs together. Phebe Molkenboer then departed for 29, her knock featuring five boundaries, but the innings stayed on track thanks to Siegers’ continued control at the crease.
Siegers went on to stitch another major partnership, this time a 58-run stand with Sterre Kalis, who scored 28 from 27 balls. That combination pushed the Netherlands beyond the 100-run mark and set them up for a strong finish in the closing overs.
Captain Babette de Leede provided a quick 16-run cameo, while Robine Rijke remained unbeaten on 18. Those late contributions helped the Netherlands close on 162/5 from their 20 overs.
Bangladesh’s bowling offered limited resistance, with Fariha Trisna the most effective option. She struck twice, conceding 26 runs in her four overs, but the Netherlands’ top performers ensured the batters had something to chase.
Bangladesh’s chase: Nigar’s fight, but no finish
In reply, Bangladesh’s chase relied heavily on captain Nigar Sultana, whose innings of 77 came off 51 balls. Despite her aggression and timely boundary hitting, the chase slipped away as wickets kept falling at regular intervals.
Early setbacks hurt Bangladesh’s momentum, with Dilara Akter and Sobhana Mostary departing in the initial phase. From there, Nigar counterattacked and kept Bangladesh in contention, but support from the other end never quite arrived consistently.
As the required run rate climbed, Bangladesh struggled to sustain momentum. With wickets continuing to arrive, they found it increasingly difficult to convert Nigar’s resistance into a genuine chase.
Siegers proved crucial in the final sequence. After being a touch expensive earlier, she returned for the last over and removed the Bangladesh captain—an outcome that effectively sealed the contest. She also took two additional lower-order wickets, tightening the finish and denying Bangladesh any late recovery.
The most telling moment came late in the innings. With Bangladesh needing 30 runs from the final two overs, Nigar fought hard and tried to keep the chase alive, but the Netherlands held their nerve better in the pressure period.
Siegers’ all-round performance—her match-winning knock and the final-over impact—earned her the Player of the Match award, underlining why the Netherlands managed to edge a crucial game ahead of their World Cup opener.
Brief scores: Netherlands 162/5 in 20 overs (Heather Siegers 52; Fariha Trisna 2-26) beat Bangladesh 154/8 in 20 overs (Nigar Sultana 77; Heather Siegers 3-39, Silver Siegers 2-24) by 8 runs
