Jensen, Kasperek's three help New Zealand keep spirited Bangladesh at bay

In a low-scoring contest, New Zealand held their nerves and overcame Bangladesh by 17 runs at Junction Oval in Melbourne on Saturday (February 29). After being bundled out for their second-lowest total in T20 World Cups - 91, New Zealand bowlers came out all guns blazing to keep Bangladesh down to just 74. Hayley Jensen's career-best three wickets for just 11 runs proved decisive in the end. New Zealand's win meant it's now a direct shoot-out between their trans-Tasman rival, Australia on Monday (March 2).

On a good chasing ground, New Zealand elected to bat first but the start was far from ideal as Sophie Devine and Rachel Priest struggled for timing with the ball not coming onto the bat. The first real intent to score runs came from Priest in the fourth over when the wicketkeeper-batter struck two boundaries off Panna Ghosh in the fourth over.

Bangladesh finally were rewarded for their persistence when their skipper Salma Khatun removed both the openers Devine (12) and Priest (25). Suzie Bates was up and running finally brought her team's 50 in the 10th over. Ritu Moni (4/18) with a game-changing spell triggered a collapse of sorts as New Zealand lost their last eight wickets for just 25 runs in 35 balls. Moni's four included Bates (15), Katey Martin (six), Anna Peterson (five) and Amelia Kerr (five). Apart from her, Salma Khatun picked up three wickets.

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In riposte, Bangladesh openers started positively as Murshida Khatun struck the first boundary of the innings off just the third ball and she was up and running. Murshida offered an easy chance to Kerr in the second but was put down off Lea Tahuhu. She failed to cash in on the opportunity as she departed for 11 as Leigh Kasperek struck. Bangladesh scored 23 in the power play losing two wickets in the process.

After bowling superbly, Moni was at it again, this time with the bat in hand and started to rebuild the innings with Nigar Sultana. Sultana had to retire then as she was hurt with the ball hitting her throat from an attempted sweep. With 61 needed in the last ten overs, lack of communication in the running between the wickets resulted in two run-outs as Fargana Hoque (0) and Moni (10) departed in quick time.

New Zealand bowlers then tightened the screws and Jensen (3/11), in particular, kept things tight bowling stump to stump without giving away too many runs. Sultana returned to bat towards the end but it was a tall ask for her.

Brief scores: New Zealand 91 all out in 18.2 overs (Rachel Priest 25; Ritu Moni 4/18, Salma Khatun 3/7) beat Bangladesh 74 all out in 19.5 overs (Nigar Sultana 21; Hayley Jensen 3/11, Leigh Kasperek 3/23) by 17 runs. PoTM: Hayley Jensen.