Nahida Akter leads Bangladesh to clinical victory
After the UAE won the toss and elected to bowl, Bangladesh found scoring difficult on a challenging surface. Sharmin Akhter provided the backbone of the innings, top-scoring with 38 off 31 balls. Captain Nigar Sultana offered steady support with 23 runs from 28 deliveries, but the UAE bowling attack remained disciplined throughout the 20 overs. Suraksha Kotte was the pick of the bowlers for the UAE, returning impressive figures of 3/11 from her four-over spell, which kept Bangladesh restricted to 103/7.
UAE chase falters under pressure
Chasing 104 for victory, the UAE innings never found the necessary momentum. Bangladesh’s bowlers struck early, claiming two quick wickets to put the hosts on the back foot immediately. The pressure remained relentless, and the UAE struggled to build any meaningful partnerships as the required run rate climbed steadily.
The turning point of the chase arrived when Nahida Akter dismissed Lavanya Keny, caught by S Mostary. This breakthrough effectively dismantled the UAE middle order, leaving them unable to recover. Heena Hotchandani provided some resistance with 18 off 19 balls, supported by Theertha Satish, but the UAE could only manage 69/9 by the close of their innings.
Nahida Akter was named Player of the Match for her comprehensive display, which included scoring 16 runs off 26 balls and claiming 2/18 in her four overs. Alongside her, Suraksha Kotte and Rabeya Khan were noted for their significant contributions to the match. The victory highlights Bangladesh’s ability to defend low totals through tactical bowling and composure under pressure.
