Bangladesh captain Nigar Sultana struck a determined half-century, and fast bowler Ritu Moni produced career-best figures of 4/12 as Bangladesh secured a 34-run win over Scotland in Edinburgh. The victory marked Bangladesh’s first triumph of the tri-series, which also includes the Netherlands, after they had suffered two straight defeats. Still, the path to the win was far from comfortable for Bangladesh.
After being put under early pressure, Bangladesh found themselves at 23/3 in the fourth over, raising the prospect of a collapse and, potentially, a third consecutive loss. However, Sultana steadied the innings and stitched together a key 77-run partnership with Sobhana Mostary. Mostary made 39 from 31 deliveries, striking five fours and a six, as the duo helped Bangladesh rebuild from the brink.
Scotland managed to break the stand at a critical moment, with Bangladesh reaching 100 during the 13th over. Yet Sultana did not run out of support—Shorna Akter came in and contributed 20 off 23 balls, keeping the scoreboard moving. Bangladesh then accelerated in the finishing phase, scoring 42 runs in the final five overs to post a total that gave their bowlers something defendable.
Scotland’s chase began with its own setbacks, but they were unable to make the kind of recovery that Bangladesh had managed. Akter Meghla and Marufa Akter reduced Scotland to 1/2, and Marufa struck again by dismissing captain Kathryn Pryce in the seventh over. Sarah Bryce attempted to extend the contest with a couple of phases of resistance, but the momentum never truly shifted back in Scotland’s favour. Moni’s spell changed the complexion of the match.
Moni first removed Sarah Bryce, Scotland’s leading batter on the day, and then continued to dismantle the batting order quickly. She finished with 4/12 in just two overs, and Scotland’s innings unravelled further as they lost six wickets for only 32 runs. The chase, which had been at 86/4, collapsed to 118 all out in the space of six overs.
Brief scores
- Bangladesh: 152/6 in 20 overs (Nigar Sultana 58, Sobhana Mostary 39; Maisie Maceira 2/23, Kathryn Bryce 2/26, Kirstie Gordon 1/18)
- Scotland: 118 all out in 19 overs (Sarah Bryce 40; Ritu Moni 4/12, Marufa Akter 2/13)
Bangladesh won by 34 runs.
