Edinburgh: Captain Nigar Sultana’s half-century and Ritu Moni’s four wickets helped Bangladesh win the fourth T20I tri-series against Scotland by 34 runs at the Grange Cricket Club ground on Tuesday.
Bangladesh skipper Sultana’s decision to bat first paid off as the visitors amassed a mammoth total of 152/6 in their 20 overs.
The touring side, however, had a mixed start to their innings as Kathryn Price and Kirsty Gordon passed their top order for just 21 runs in four overs.
After stumbling early, Sultana, along with experienced middle-order batsman Sobana Mosteri, put on 77 runs for the fourth wicket and made a stunning recovery until she was dismissed by Katherine Fraser in the 13th over.
Mosteri made a significant contribution to Bangladesh’s total with 39 off 31 balls with 5 fours and a six.
Sultana then shared a 45-run fifth-wicket partnership with all-rounder Shorna Akhtar, before falling to Maisie Masira on the first delivery of the last over.
The Bangladesh captain top scored with 58 off 47 balls with 6 fours and a six and was adjudged Man of the Match.
Masira struck Akhtar again in the last ball of the last over after a cautious 20 off 23 balls.
For Scotland, Masira and Price took two wickets each while Gordon and Fraser took one wicket each.
Chasing a tough 153-run target, the hosts could only manage 118 for 19 overs, handing the Netherlands their first defeat in the ongoing T20I tri-series.
Wicket-keeper batsman Sarah Price stood out for the home side with a cautious 40 off 41 balls, followed by skipper Price’s 21 off 14 balls.
Apart from them, only Briannaz Chatterjee (18) and Ailsa Lister (16) managed to score double figures against a ruthless Bangladesh bowling attack, who took four for 12 in their two overs.
Moni’s exploits were backed up by Sanjita Akhtar Makela and Marufa Akhtar, who claimed two wickets each, while Rabeya Khan and Mostari claimed a wicket each.
The 34-run victory was Bangladesh’s first win in the T20I tri-series, with both teams on two points from a game and a better net run rate that helped the Netherlands move to second in the rankings.
Scotland, on the other hand, remained on top despite the loss, with four points from three games with a positive net run rate of 0.742.