Bangladesh, Ireland qualify for Women’s T20 World Cup 2023:
Sanjida and Salma helped Bangladesh defend 113 against Thailand in the semi-finals, while Zimbabwe fell short of their target after Stokell and Maguire sparkled for Ireland.
Bangladesh and Ireland will play in the 2023 Women’s T20 World Cup in South Africa. Bangladesh beat Thailand in the semifinals, while Ireland beat Zimbabwe in the Semi Final of the qualifying event. Sunday’s final won’t affect either team’s World Cup status.
Natthakan Chantham’s 64 off 51 balls proved in vain for Thailand in the second semi-final, as a lack of support from the other batters and Bangladesh’s sharp bowling proved decisive in a low-scoring game. Thailand’s captain Naruemol Chaiwai scored 12 in response to Bangladesh’s 113 for 5.
Sanjida Akter Meghla and Salma Khatun reduced Thailand to 13 for 3 in the fifth over before Chantham and Chaiwai’s 32-run partnership was broken by Nahida Akter. Salma took two late wickets, including Chantham’s, to secure Bangladesh’s victory and World Cup berth.
Bangladesh lost 3 wickets for 29 runs in the middle overs as Thailand’s bowlers chipped away. Bangladesh scored 81 runs in 17 overs after their top three batsmen made steady starts.
Rumana Ahmed and Ritu Moni hit 32 off the final three overs to give their side late momentum. Moni hit 17 off ten balls and Rumana 28 off 24.
Ireland beat Zimbabwe 133 for 6 by four runs (Prendergast 28, Stokell 26*, Sibanda 2-24) (Mayers 39, Musonda 31, Maguire 2-18, Kelly 2-27).
Read Also: https://icasportsplus.com/brook-duckett-hammer-pakistan-bowlers-to-register-big-win/
Ireland posted 137 for 6 in the first semi-final, but Zimbabwe fell four runs short.
Orla Prendergast scored 28 at less than a run-a-ball, and Rebecca Stokell scored 26 not out. Ireland scored 41 runs in the final four overs thanks to Stokell’s 12-ball innings with four fours and two sixes.
Captain Laura Delany scored 22 off 29 balls, and Nomvelo Sibanda watched the opposition. Kelis Ndlovu, despite being expensive, also took two wickets.
Zimbabwe batted slowly, like Ireland. In the first five overs, 19-year-old Jane Maguire removed Ndlovu and Chipo Mugeri-Tiripano. Sharne Mayers and Mary-Anne Musonda added 50 before Arlene Kelly bowled Mayers for 39 off 36 balls.
Murray stumped Musonda for 31. Zimbabwe needed 39 off 29 balls with six wickets in hand, but fell short despite cameos from Modester Mupachikwa and Josephine Nkomo.
