All-round Bangladesh register an easy opening win

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Chandhana Gogineni
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All-round Bangladesh register an easy opening win

Shamima Sultana scored her 3rd consecutive 30+. ©ICC

Bangladesh registered a comfortable win over Papa New Guinea in their opening match of the World WT20 Qualifiers by 8 wickets. Disciplined bowling by the women in Green and Shamima's determined knock of 35 runs were crucial for the victory in a low scoring encounter.

Earlier in the match, Bangladesh won the toss and chose to field first. PNG took off to the poor start, as Captain Salma Khatun gave the 1st breakthrough on her 1st ball.

Since then after a fall of 5-wickets, team PNG could not find a way to stabilize their innings but crippled under pressure by the bowling attack of the trio - Ghosh, Khatun, and Alam. Only two players namely Tanya Ruma and Veru Frank batted decently through the terrible collapse when Papua New Guinea set a target of 84 runs on the board with a loss of 6 wickets.

Interestingly, four mainstream bowlers - Salma Khatun, Fahima Khatun, Jahanara Alam and Panna Ghosh maintained those tight lines and strong defence which in turn helped them keep the PNG team under pressure during the entire innings.

With an easy target on board to chase, the opening pair paved a strong partnership of 41 runs under 6 0vers. Wicket-keeper batter Shamima Sultana played a decisive role in the Bangladesh lineup with perfect stroke play and strike-rotation after which she got out for 36 runs.

Nigar Sultana, finished the match in style with a four as Bangladesh win the match with 8-wickets in hand. Pauke Siaka and Vicky Araa picked up one wicket each.

Shamima Sultana was adjudged the Player of the match for her knock of 35 runs.

Two series win already on the trot in the last month, Bangladesh is proving a point that they are certainly the tournament's favourites. Team PNG, which is playing its Third international Global tournament, have many areas to revamp and restructure to create a major upsurge at the world stage.
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