The 13th match of the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup 2024 saw West Indies Women clinch a comfortable 8-wicket win over Bangladesh Women in a thrilling contest at Sharjah Cricket Stadium. This victory further solidified West Indies Women’s position in the tournament, with standout performances from Karishma Ramharack and Hayley Matthews contributing significantly to their success.
Bangladesh’s Struggle to Post a Defendable Target
Bangladesh Women were put in to bat first, and they faced a challenging task as the West Indies’ bowling attack proved formidable. Despite a resilient innings from captain Nigar Sultana, who top-scored with 39 off 44 balls, Bangladesh could only muster 103/8 in their allotted 20 overs. The batting side struggled to build momentum as wickets fell at regular intervals.
Key dismissals came from West Indies’ bowler Karishma Ramharack, who claimed 4 wickets for just 17 runs in her 4-over spell, earning her the Player of the Match title. She was well-supported by Afy Fletcher, who took 2 wickets for 25 runs, effectively stifling Bangladesh’s progress.
West Indies Chase the Target with Ease
In response, West Indies Women made light work of the 104-run target, reaching 104/2 in just 12.5 overs. Captain Hayley Matthews led the charge with a brilliant 34 off 22 balls, including 6 boundaries, setting the tone for a swift chase. Stefanie Taylor’s 27 off 29 and a rapid 19* off 7 by Deandra Dottin finished the game in style for West Indies.
Bangladesh’s bowlers, particularly Marufa Akter and Nahida Akter, managed to pick up a couple of wickets, but it wasn’t enough to derail the Caribbean side’s confident approach to their chase.
Star Performers of the Match
- Karishma Ramharack: Her 4-wicket haul was instrumental in limiting Bangladesh to a low total. She bowled with precision and control, ensuring that Bangladesh’s middle order couldn’t gain any momentum.
- Hayley Matthews: The West Indies captain not only contributed with the bat but also delivered a tight spell with the ball, taking 1/19 in 4 overs and setting the foundation for the chase with her aggressive 34 runs.
Bowling Highlights
- Bangladesh Bowling: Marufa Akter (1/20 in 3 overs) and Nahida Akter (1/22 in 3 overs) were the main wicket-takers, but they couldn’t prevent West Indies from cruising to the target.
- West Indies Bowling: Alongside Ramharack’s standout performance, Afy Fletcher provided crucial breakthroughs, making it difficult for Bangladesh to recover.
What’s Next for Both Teams?
This victory gives West Indies Women a significant boost as they continue their campaign in the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup 2024. Bangladesh, on the other hand, will need to regroup and strategize better to bounce back in their upcoming matches.
With a strong all-round performance, West Indies have certainly established themselves as a formidable force in the tournament, and their next opponents will have to bring their best game to challenge them.
