White Ferns ease past Tigresses

New Zealand bounced back in style, opening their ICC Women's Cricket World Cup 2025 account with a commanding 100-run victory over Bangladesh on Friday. The win gave the White Ferns their first two points of the tournament. They are level with Bangladesh, who suffered their second consecutive defeat.

After winning the toss and opting to bat, New Zealand posted a competitive 227/9, led by fifties from Brooke Halliday and Sophie Devine. Their bowlers then produced a disciplined display to bowl out Bangladesh for 127 inside 40 overs. Only three Bangladesh batters managed to reach double figures as partnerships proved hard to come by.

Leah Tahuhu and Jess Kerr spearheaded the attack with three wickets each while Rosemary Mair chipped in with two. Amelia Kerr and Eden Carson also made key contributions, dismissing captain Nigar Sultana Joty and Fahima Khatun respectively.

Bangladesh faltered early in the chase, slipping to 33/6 before Nahida Akter and Fahima Khatun added some resistance with a 33-run stand for the seventh wicket. Khatun later built another brief partnership with Rabeya Khatun but once she fell, the innings quickly folded, handing New Zealand a much-needed win to get their campaign back on track.

In the first innings, Brooke Halliday and Sophie Devine struck fighting fifties to guide New Zealand to 227/9 after a shaky start against Bangladesh.

Nigar Sultana Joty's side continued to strike at regular intervals at the death but couldn't contain the flow of boundaries as New Zealand pushed past the 200-run mark. Rabeya Khatun (3/30) was the standout performer for Bangladesh with the ball while Fahima Khatun, Marufa Akter and Nishita Akter chipped in with a wicket each.

Having opted to bat first, New Zealand endured a nightmare start, slipping to 32/3. However, Halliday and Devine steadied the innings with a 100-run stand that shifted momentum back in their favour. Khatun eventually broke the crucial partnership, dismissing Halliday to halt New Zealand's recovery.

Earlier, Bangladesh got off to a dream start, striking with three quick wickets to leave the White Ferns reeling at 32/3. Rabeya Khan led the charge, removing Georgia Plimmer before Suzie Bates was run out in the same over. Plimmer was the first to fall, stumped after misjudging Khatun's flighted delivery before the spinner returned in her next over to bowl Amelia Kerr and tighten Bangladesh's grip on the contest.

Bangladesh will look to keep their campaign alive when they face an in-form South Africa side on October 13 while New Zealand take on Sri Lanka the following day on October 14, with the hosts still searching for their first win.