There were impressive wins for Bangladesh and Ireland as the ICC Women’s World Twenty20 Qualifier got underway in Bangkok on Saturday with Bangladesh beating Thailand by 73 runs at Thailand Cricket Ground and Ireland overcoming Netherlands by eight wickets at Asian Institute of Technology.
Thailand started their campaign confidently as they allowed Bangladesh to score only 105 for 6 in their 20 overs. Ayasha Rahman top-scored with 30 but the dependable Nattaya Boochatham took 2 for 22 and promising leg-spinner Suleeporn Laomi 2 for 17. Batting proved a different matter for the home side as they were bowled out for just 32 in 14.4 overs. Fahima Khatun and Rita Moni ran through the lower order both taking two wickets for one run.
Ireland convincingly defeated Netherlands as openers Clare Shillington (33) and Cecilia Joyce (39) shared an opening stand of 74 and Ireland won with 8.1 overs to spare. Netherlands had earlier started well with an opening partnership of 53 as Miranda Veringmeier hit the first fifty of the tournament as she made 53 but Isobel Joyce claimed 3 for 18 from her 4 overs to restrict Netherlands to 90 for 6.
In the afternoon matches, Scotland beat Papua New Guinea by eight wickets at TCG after bowling them out for 53 and overcoming the loss of two early wickets to reach 55 for 2. Zimbabwe were also convincing winners over China at AIT where they chased down China’s total of 88 for 5 without losing a wicket to win by 10 wickets with 10 balls to spare. Zimbabwe’s openers Modester Mupachikwa (33) and captain Chipo Mugeri (51) shared a impressive partnership of 89.
Bangladesh and Scotland head Group A, Ireland and Zimbabwe lead Goup B and all eight teams are in action on Sunday as they play their second matches in the group stages. The top two teams in each group will reach the semi-finals with two places in the ICC Women’s World Twenty20 in India still the ultimate dream for every team.
Results – Day 1
- Bangladesh beat Thailand by 73 runs
- Ireland beat Netherlands by 8 wickets
- Scotland beat Papua New Guinea by 8 wickets
- Zimbabwe beat China by 10 wickets