Bangladesh through to semis in Women’s Asia Cup Rising Stars

Bangladesh Women’s ‘A’ team eked out a three-wicket win over Thailand in a low-scoring Group B match to seal a place in the semifinals of the Women’s Asia Cup Rising Stars at the Terdthai Cricket Ground, Bangkok today.

In a match that went down to the wire, Lata Mondal top-scored with a 40-ball 30 but it was Farjana Easmin’s lusty blows that helped Bangladesh score the required 20 runs in the last two overs, and reach the 104-run target with one ball to spare.

This was Bangladesh’s second win in as many games as they has earlier beaten Sri Lanka by four runs in their tournament opener.

With the win, Bangladesh are topping the four-team Group B and have booked a placed in the top four in the eight-team tournament.

Earlier, after losing the toss, Bangladesh bowlers restricted Thailand to 103-9 in their 20 overs.

Experienced national team leg-spinner and ‘A’ team captain Fahima Khatun and off-spinner Shorifa Khatun picked up a couple wickets each for Bangladesh.

For Thailand, top-order batters Nannapat Koncharoenkai and Natthakan Chantham scored the bulk of the runs, making 34 off 38 balls and 24 off 34 respectively, but the others could not contribute much.

Bangladesh’s reply started in disastrous manner, as they lost three wickets inside four overs with just 11 runs on the board.

Shamima Sultana and Lata then rebuilt the innings with a 43-run partnership off 47 balls.

Shamima departed for 26 off 29 but Lata stayed till the penultimate over, lending support to Farjana, whose 15-ball 23, adorned with three fours and a six, took Bangladesh to 104-7.