An Eye Witness Account
New Zealand Vs Bangladesh Women T20 World Cup 2020
Score Card:
New Zealand 91 All Out (RH Priest 25, SW Bates 15,Ritu Moni 4/18, Salma Khatun 3/7, Rumana Ahmed 2/17) beat Bangladesh 74 All Out (Nigar Sultana 21, LM Kasperek 3/23, HK Jensen 3/11) by 17 Runs
Player Of The Match; Hayley Jensen
Bowling and fielding exceptionally well Bangladesh eaves rattled much superior Black Cap girls to 91 all out. It was a case of keeping nerves and playing normal cricket getting across the finishing tape for a wonderful win. But the girls panicked and making similar mistakes the Kiwi batsmen did lost the match by 17 runs getting bundled out for 74. Such an opportunity for winning against a major force of women’s cricket with very limited exposure may not come soon. Perhaps it required a better mentoring by team think talk and better planning while batting. Kiwi girls taking from their own inept batting bowled straight attacking the sumps. Bangladesh girls played too many cross batted heaves throwing away their wickets.
Tigers ably commanded by Salma, bowling like hungry leopards and fielding like Cheetah had Kiwi girts restricted to 91 all out. It was a game for Bangladesh girls for the taking. Playing simple cricket could get the Bangladesh the match. The wise men or women in the dug out should have laid out a plan. The best four Bangladesh batsmen should have inserted at top four with an advise for scoring 50+ in the first 10 overs. Fargana and Rumana should have batted at 3 and four. That could tightened the grip of the girls on the match. Instead team think tank promoted RituMoni. Girls played too many dot balls. Only 31 runs could be scored in the first 10 overs. Luck also left Bangladesh as inform Joti striking the balls well was injured. Bangladesh panicked and was packed up by the surging Kiwis for 74 runs. It was another case of Bangladesh dreams getting dashed, promises remaining unrealized.
On a bright sunny Melbourne morning few hundreds cheering Bangladeshis assembled at Junction Oval for cheering the tigress. Black cap captain won the toss and elected to bat. Bangladesh for a change bowled with a plan and fielded very sharp. The girls were chasing like deer and diving all around. At least 20 runs were saved and some astonishing catches were taken. Ritu Moni was exceptional with right arm medium pace bowling at right channel. Her 4/18 shocked and awed Kiwi girls. Captain Salma was more miserly with his 3/7. Rumana also bowled well taking 2/17.
At breather New Zealand was definitely under huge pressure. Bangladesh girls should have kept their calm and play with passion. Murshida was looking in a hurry and Ayesha could have played the ball with straight bat instead of trying to heave too early. Fargana is one of the top batsman of Bangladesh. She should have been sent at three after early loss of Ayesha. Why Ritu was promoted? Instead Fargana came when the team was already under huge pressure at 31/3 in the 10th over. She was also run out for not. Nigar Sultna Joti was batting well .But unfortunately she was injured and could not return before too late. Bangladesh could not soak the pressure as more experienced Kiwi girls tightened their grip. Bengal tigress choked at lost the match by 17 runs.
Without taking away any credit from the Kiwis one must conclude that in such matches persons in the dug out (Team Management has a role). Bangladesh in bowling and fielding was definitely as good if not better than New Zealand but what they lacked is temperament and disciple in batting. Playing with soft hands and placing in the gap it was very much possible taking 3-4 runs every over in early overs. We did not see many balls played with straight bat in the V. All tried to have cross batted heave and too tell frankly Bangladesh girls did not have the strength or skills for striking over boundaries.
In conclusion I must say, with very limited exposure and experience of playing against strong opposition the girls played exceptionally well. What they lack is proper mentoring and guidance. In only the other day Aussie girls hammered Bangladesh. Bangladesh girls recovering from that so quick bowled and fielded exceptionally well. Many Australian and New Zealanders deeply appreciated.
Bangladesh must win on Monday against Sri Lanka to avoid playing qualifying round in the next T20 world cup.
IT WAS A CASE OF TIGERS FAILING TO CAGE CORNERED KIWIS
BDST: 1317 HRS, FEB 29, 2020
SMS
