Two teams who haven’t had the best of starts to the 2024 ICC Women’s T20 World Cup will take on each other in Match 13 to keep their dreams of making the playoffs alive.
Ahead of Bangladesh and the West Indies facing off, here are our match preview and predictions.
Bangladesh started the tournament with a Houdini act over Scotland, running away with a win after posting just 119 on the board. On the slow UAE pitches, the Bangladeshi bowlers have been clinical and used the conditions to their advantage. Their spin trio of Nahida Akter, Fahima Khahtun, and Rabeya Khan has been chipping in with the wickets regularly while keeping the runs in check. Their seamers, Ritu Moni and Marufa Akter, have also been pitching in with wickets.
The Bangla batting, though, has been a let-down. Barring Sobhana Mostary, none of their other batters has been able to get going. Shathi Rani got a start against Scotland but failed to capitalise. Against England, chasing 119, Bangladesh were bundled out for 97 in a batting collapse that saw only two of their batters cross the double-digit mark. Nihar Sultana will be hoping that, including herself, the batters step up for the last two games. The Bangla Tigresses already have plenty of experience playing on slow pitches, which should bode well for them.
The Windies, on the other hand, started their tournament with a demoralising ten-wicket defeat to South Africa before bouncing back against Scotland to get some points on the board. Their batting has been a big concern, with their star player and captain Hayley Matthews yet to hit her stride.
Matthews’ form with the bat will be key to the 2016 T20 World Cup champions’ success in the UAE, though the West Indies also have plenty of other talent and experience in the lineup with the likes of Stafanie Taylor, Shemaine Campbelle, and Deandra Dottin. The team have also tried Taylor and Qiana Joseph up top with Matthews, but neither experiment has worked.
After going wicket-less in their opening game, it was a much-improved showing from the Windies bowlers against Scotland. Chinelle Henry was economical with the new ball, and while Matthews and Karishma Ramharack chipped in with wickets, Afy Fletcher was the stand-out bowler with 3/22 from her four overs.
Both sides have been struggling in the tournament, though we give Bangladesh the edge here given their experience playing in these conditions. Moreover, after a spirited showing against England, they will want to get across the line this time round.
Nigar Sultana, Sobhana Mostary, Hayley Mathews, Shemaine Campbelle, Deandra Dottin, Rabeya Khan, Nahida Akter, Afy Fletcher, Aaliyah Alleyne, Fahima Khatun, Ritu Moni
Venue: Sharjah
Winners Prediction: Bangladesh
Also read: ICC Women’s T20 World Cup 2024 Sponsors
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