New Zealand captain Sophie Devine scored her third consecutive half-century in the World Cup, making 63 runs off 85 balls, while Brooke Halliday added 69 runs off 104 balls as New Zealand faced Bangladesh’s spin bowling challenge and reached 227 for 9 at the Barsapara Cricket Stadium in Guwahati today.
Bangladesh’s Marufa Akter struggled to make an impact, taking only one wicket and conceding 58 runs in seven overs. Despite troubling Suzie Bates early on, Marufa ended up giving away 22 runs in three overs during the Powerplay.
Rabeya Khan took two quick wickets, leading to Bates being run out after scoring 29 runs, which helped Bangladesh spinners gain control of the game. Halliday anchored the innings in the beginning, while Devine stayed on the crease until the 44th over, pushing the score beyond 170.
A quick 12 runs off four balls from Lea Talahu boosted New Zealand’s score in the final overs, adding 74 runs in the last 10 overs to reach a competitive total on a challenging pitch. Rabeya was the standout bowler with figures of three for 30, supported by Nahida Akter and Fahima Khatun who each picked up one wicket.
In the match, New Zealand won the toss and chose to bat first against Bangladesh in the ICC Women’s World Cup encounter in Guwahati. Suzie Bates attempted to take on pacer Marufa Akter early on, but Bangladesh’s spinners soon regained control after Marufa conceded 22 runs in her initial three overs.
Rabeya Khan made crucial breakthroughs, including dismissing Bates for a 29-run knock, leaving New Zealand struggling at 39 for three after 12 overs. Before the match, Bangladesh spinner Nahida Akter expressed confidence in Marufa’s recovery from cramps suffered in the previous game against England.
Bangladesh entered the game aiming to build on their strong performances in the tournament, particularly their victory over Pakistan and the competitive match against England. While bowling has been a key strength for Bangladesh, they are seeking better consistency in their batting performances.
Nahida Akter remained positive, emphasizing the challenges of every World Cup match and expressing belief that Bangladesh could achieve something significant with improved gameplay. Despite their initial losses, New Zealand, with standout players like Sophie Devine and Suzie Bates, present a formidable challenge. All-rounder Amelia Kerr acknowledged the threat posed by Bangladesh’s spin-heavy bowling attack, recognizing their ability to trouble opposition teams.