SHARJAH: Bangladesh ended a 10-year wait to win a Women’s T20 World Cup match on Thursday as Pakistan warmed up for a mouthwatering clash with India by defeating Asian champions Sri Lanka.
On the opening day of the 2024 tournament, Bangladesh secured a 16-run win over Scotland after posting what appeared to be a flimsy 119-7 in their 20 overs.
Their bowling attack, however, tied the Scots down and restricted them to 103-7.
Later, Pakistan, who have never made it out of the group stages in eight previous attempts, beat Sri Lanka by 31 runs.
Pakistan made 116 in their 20 overs before restricting Sri Lanka to 85-9.
Bangladesh captain Nigar Sultana Joty described ending her team’s long wait for a World Cup win as “very emotional” and suggested it would create “momentum” for the women’s game at home.
“I would say that a win after 10 years, we all are very emotional because we have been waiting for this victory for a long time,” said Joty who was playing in her 100th T20I.
“No matter how good the cricket we play, if it doesn’t translate into victory, it means nothing. And I would say for women’s cricket, after a long time, I feel like we have done something.
“We have always said about Bangladesh that we have to create momentum and then we will move forward with that momentum.
“Now it seems like we are going to dream of doing something bigger. Similarly, the fans and family who support us in Bangladesh are dreaming that we can do something better than that.”
The momentum for women’s cricket in Bangladesh would have had a far bigger boost had they been staging the event as planned.
Instead, weeks of widespread political unrest in Bangladesh, which eventually led to the installation of an interim government, saw the tournament switched to the United Arab Emirates, with Bangladesh remaining as nominal hosts.
“Initially it was very heartbreaking because we always bear in mind that we are going to play in front of our home crowd,” said Joty.
“But still, the people who came here today, it was brilliant.”
After winning the toss and batting first, Sobhana Mostary top-scored with 36 for Bangladesh.
Their bowlers then strangled newcomers Scotland in spite of Sarah Bryce’s 49 not out from 52 balls.
Ritu Moni was named player of the match for her spell of 2-15 from four overs.
Pakistan staged a determined fightback to beat Sri Lanka by 31 runs with left-arm spinner Sadia Iqbal claiming three wickets.
Nashra Sandhu, Omaima Sohail and player of the match Fatima Sana all took two each for Pakistan against Asia Cup champions Sri Lanka.
Pakistan needed a crucial lower-order knock from their captain Sana to post a competitive total, having slumped to 84-8 after winning the toss and choosing to bat.
“We won the toss and we wanted a lot of runs but we didn’t get. We still achieved the target in the game,” said Sana.
For Sri Lanka, Nilakshika Silva top-scored with 22 after Pakistan had lost opening bowler Diana Baig to a calf strain after just one ball.
On Friday, India take on New Zealand while South Africa face West Indies with both games taking place in Dubai.
India and Pakistan will face off on Sunday.
Pakistan, Bangladesh win Women’s T20 World Cup openers in Sharjah
https://arab.news/95vsf
Pakistan, Bangladesh win Women’s T20 World Cup openers in Sharjah
- Pakistan, who have never made it out of the group stages in eight previous attempts, defeated Sri Lanka by 31 runs
- Bangladesh captain Nigar Sultana Joty described ending her team’s long wait for a World Cup win as ‘very emotional’
Man pleads guilty to sending ‘abhorrent messages’ to England women’s footballer Carter
- His admission came after the UK Football Policing Unit launched an investigation last July into abuse directed at Carter
- Dewale is due to be sentenced on March 25
LONDON: A man pleaded guilty Friday to sending “totally abhorrent” social media messages to England women’s defender Jess Carter during last year’s European Championships.
Nigel Dewale with an address at Prospect Street, Great Harwood, northwest England, entered a guilty plea to one charge of malicious communications and possession of a weapon in a private place at Blackburn Magistrates’ Court on Friday.
His admission came after the UK Football Policing Unit launched an investigation last July into abuse directed at Carter.
Dewale is due to be sentenced on March 25.
Mark Roberts, the football policing lead for the National Police Chiefs’ Council, said: “Everyone is responsible for what they do and say, and posting a message on social media is no different.
“In this case, Dewale sent hateful and malicious messages, thinking that he would be able to hide behind his account name.
“His comments were totally abhorrent, they caused emotional distress for Miss Carter and her family and I welcome the guilty plea entered today.”
A spokesperson for England’s governing Football Association responded to Dewale’s guilty plea by saying “unacceptable behavior will not be tolerated, whether in person or online.”
The spokesperson added: “Our priority remains supporting Jess and all of our England players who continue to be impacted by disgusting online abuse.”
Writing on her social media accounts at the time the abuse came to light, Carter — who went on to help England win a second successive Euros title — said: “From the start of the tournament I have experienced a lot of racial abuse.
“Whilst I feel every fan is entitled to their opinion on performance and result I don’t agree or think it’s OK to target someone’s appearance or race.”
England forward Lauren James suffered online racist abuse after a defeat for her club side Chelsea in 2023.
England men’s players Marcus Rashford, Bukayo Saka and Jadon Sancho were targeted after they all failed to score penalties in a shoot-out loss to Italy in the Euro 2020 final at London’s Wembley Stadium.
