Women's T20 World Cup 2024: Bangladesh and Sri Lanka complete preparations with victories

Bangladesh and Sri Lanka concluded their preparations for the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup 2024 with victories over Pakistan and Scotland respectively. Bangladesh beat Pakistan by 23 runs as their total of 140 for seven proved enough, Shorna Akter top scoring with an unbeaten 28 before taking two wickets in the reply.

Sri Lanka’s bowlers came to the fore against Scotland, who were bowled out for 58. Kavisha Dilhari’s 27 settled Sri Lankan nerves in the run chase following a flurry of early wickets. There are three more warm-up matches tomorrow (Tuesday) before the competition gets underway on October 3.

Shorna shines for Bangladesh

Bangladesh made a solid start with the bat after winning the toss in Dubai, with openers Shathi Rani and Dilara Akter adding 33 before the latter fell for 10 midway through the fourth over.

Sobhana Mostary (15), Nigar Sultana (18) and Taj Nehar (17) each made starts without kicking on, though Shorna Akter provided some late momentum with an unbeaten 28 from 17 balls.

She was supported by Ritu Moni, who made 14 from eight, as Bangladesh made their way to 140 for seven from their 20 overs, with Sadia Iqbal (2/19) the pick of the Pakistan attack.

Muneeba Ali fell in the second over of the run chase and Sidra Amin (10) then departed three balls before the end of the powerplay, which arrived with Pakistan on 38 for two.

Fahima Khatun, who dismissed Sidra, later ran out Nida Dar and clean bowled Iram Javed first ball as Pakistan slipped to 65 for five.

Omaima Sohail kept her side in the hunt with a run-a-ball 33 but she was caught off the bowling of Rabeya Khan (2/29) to signal the end of Pakistan’s hopes and the final wicket fell soon afterwards on 117 with eight balls remaining.

Sri Lanka bowlers impress against Scotland

Sri Lanka will go into their opening group game against Pakistan full of confidence following a five-wicket win over Scotland in their final warm-up match.

Scotland elected to bat first upon winning the toss, but a nightmare start saw them slip to one for three in the first over, with Udeshika Prabodhani (2/3) removing Saskia Horley and Priyanaz Chatterji for ducks either side of Kathryn Bryce being run out first ball.

Ailsa Lister was caught, to leave Scotland on 11 for four as wickets continued to fall at regular intervals, with Sachini Nisansala claiming two for 10 and Inoshi Priyadharshani (1/3), Inoka Ranaweera (1/8) and Ama Kanchana (1/12) picking up a scalp apiece.

Sarah Bryce top-scored with 24 but fell at the start of the 17th over, with only Rachel Slater (10 not out) joining her in double figures as Scotland were dismissed for 58 with an over unused.

Sri Lanka’s reply got off to a stuttering start as wickets fell in each of the opening two overs, with captain Chamari Athapaththu (1) trapped in front by Slater before Vishmi Gunaratne (2) was clean bowled by Kathryn Bryce.

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Dilhari then seized control of the chase, compiling a composed 27 from 34 balls before retiring out with the job all but done. Anushka Sanjeewani and Ama Kanchana completed the job as Sri Lanka got home with 4.3 overs to spare.

Scores in brief

Bangladesh v Pakistan – ICC Academy Ground No.2, Dubai

Bangladesh 140/7 in 20 overs (Shorna Akter 28, Shathi Rani 23; Sadia Iqbal 2/19)

Pakistan 117 all out in 18.4 overs (Omaima Sohail 33, Fatima Sana 17; Marufa Akter 2/15, Shorna Akter 2/16)

Result: Bangladesh win by 23 runs

Sri Lanka v Scotland – The Sevens Stadium, Dubai

Scotland 58 all out in 19 overs (Sarah Bryce 24, Rachel Slater 10 not out; Udeshika Prabodhani 2/3, Sachini Nisansala 2/10)

Sri Lanka 59/5 in 15.3 overs (Kashiva Dilhari 27; Katherine Fraser 1/5, Kathryn Bryce 1/6)

Result: Sri Lanka win by five wickets