Bangladesh cruise to eight-wicket victory over PNG
Bangladesh won the toss and elected to bowl, choosing to test out Papua New Guinea (PNG)’s potentially suspect batting line-up. PNG were immediately put on the back foot when opening batsman Sibona Jimmy (1) was trapped lbw by Bangladesh skipper Salma Khatun (1/12). Shortly after, they were pegged back even further to 2/2, as Brenda Tau (1) was bowled by Jahanara Alam.
Wickets continued to tumble, and a slow run rate left PNG in search of inspiration at 45/5 after 15 overs. Kopi John held anchor, notching 15 from 32 before Panna Ghosh (2/15) cleaned her up. Pauke Siaka (5) also fell to Ghosh, while Kaia Arua (4) fell cheaply at the hands of Rumana Ahmed (1/12).
PNG did provide some valiant resistance though, as an unbeaten 23 from Tanya Ruma and an exciting cameo of 27 from Veru Frank pushed the underdogs to a relatively reasonable effort of 84 given their poor start.
Women's Twenty20 Asia Cup champions Bangladesh got off to a flying start to their run-chase, Shamima Sultana smashing three boundaries in the first over as it looked like they might race to their desired total. Ayasha Rahman (15) fell in the sixth over to Pauke Siaka (1/13), but there was still much work for PNG to do in order to turn the game around.
Sultana fell for an assured 35, leaving the favourites 64/2, but Bangladesh's initial restrictive bowling effort meant that there was little pressure, Fargana Hoque taking a more conservative approach and scoring an unbeaten 17 from 26 to see her side home safely inside 15 overs.
Bangladesh might rue their more relaxed approach in knocking off the runs, should net run rate become a factor in this tournament, but their bowling was economical and there were no moments of notable concern or visible vulnerability with bat in hand. PNG will be keen to bounce back with a win against the UAE on Sunday 9 July, while Bangladesh will look to continue their winning form against the hosts; they play the Netherlands in Utrecht on the same day.