CAPE TOWN: New Zealand opener Suzie Bates struck a magnificent half-century before a disciplined bowling attack led the side to a dominating 71-run victory over Bangladesh in the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup.
After opting to bat first, New Zealand raised a mammoth 189/3 in their allotted 20 overs at the back of a magnificent 81-run knock by Bates.
New Zealand openers Bates and Bernadine Bezuidenhout laid a solid foundation for a massive total as the duo added 77 runs within just nine overs before Shorna Akter provided a much-needed breakthrough by removing the former.
Bezuidenhout scored a quickfire 44 off just 26 deliveries with the help of five boundaries.
Following her dismissal, Bates put on a brief partnership with Amelia Kerr (16) before finally putting on an unbeaten momentum-boosting stand with Maddy Green and carried her bat all the way through.
The duo of Bates and Green added 82 runs for the fourth wicket in just 42 balls. Green struck a brisk 44 not out off a mere 20 balls, hitting seven boundaries, while Bates top-scored fro the side with an unbeaten 81 off 61 deliveries, laced with seven boundaries and a six.
For Bangladesh, Fahima Khatun bagged two wickets while Shorna could make one scalp.
Set to chase 190, Bangladesh’s batting lineup failed and could only accumulate 118/8 in their allotted overs.
Shorna and Murshida Khatun offered a brief fightback with their respective knocks while the rest of the Bangladesh batters seemed clueless against a strong White Fern bowling attack.
Shorna top-scored for the side with 31 off 22 while Shorna could score 30 in 38 deliveries.
Besides them, opening batter Shamima Sultana remained the notable run-getter with an 11-ball 14, while the rest of the batters could not amass double figures.
Eden Carson led the bowling attack for Australia with 3/18 while Hannah Rowe returned with 2/15.
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