Bangladesh captain Nigar Sultana praised her bowlers for setting the stage for a six-wicket win against the Netherlands in the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup 2026 opener at Edgbaston. The Netherlands were restricted to 139/8, and Bangladesh successfully chased the target in 19.1 overs. Opener Juairiya Ferdous shone with a half-century, while Sharmin Akhter and Shorna Akter ensured victory despite a slight middle-order stumble.
Nigar commended the bowling unit for their exceptional performance in controlling the Dutch batters throughout the innings. Marufa Akter and the spinners played crucial roles in limiting the Netherlands’ scoring, despite a strong half-century by Dutch captain Babette de Leede. The Bangladesh skipper expressed satisfaction with her team’s execution of their first innings plan.
Juairiya Ferdous received special praise for her aggressive batting that propelled Bangladesh’s chase. She scored a match-winning 50 off 33 balls, with seven fours and two sixes, before her dismissal. Despite losing a few quick wickets, Sharmin Akhter and Shorna Akter remained composed, guiding Bangladesh to victory with an unbeaten fifth-wicket partnership.
The win marks a positive start for Bangladesh in the Women’s T20 World Cup, setting the tone for their campaign in the group stage.
