Fresh off a valiant effort against the formidable four-time champions England, Bangladesh is set to clash with New Zealand in their third ICC Women’s ODI World Cup fixture in Guwahati this Friday, eager to return to winning form.
The Bengal Tigresses, led by captain Nigar Sultana, began their campaign with a dominant seven-wicket triumph over Pakistan. They then pushed England to the brink, nearly causing an upset before Heather Knight’s heroics secured a four-wicket win in pursuit of 179. While their bowlers, particularly the spinners, have showcased stellar performances, Bangladesh’s batting remains a significant area of concern.
Playing their second match at the spin-friendly Barsapara Cricket Stadium, Bangladesh will once again rely heavily on their potent bowling attack. Their goal is clear: secure a crucial second victory in three outings against a New Zealand team that is yet to register a win in the tournament.
The White Ferns, champions of the 2000 edition, find themselves in a tough spot after suffering back-to-back losses. Currently languishing at seventh place in the eight-team roster, the Kiwis are under immense pressure to turn their fortunes around swiftly to avoid an early exit from this prestigious event.
Bangladesh’s spin contingent, spearheaded by vice-captain and left-arm spinner Nahida Akter, has consistently troubled opposing batters. As the team’s leading wicket-taker across all formats, Nahida’s role will be crucial. She’ll be well-supported by a trio of leg-spinners: Fahima Khatun, Rabeya Khan, and the promising 18-year-old Shorna Akter.
Meanwhile, pacer Marufa Akter is expected to maintain her impressive performance with the new ball. Her ability to generate pace will be key in challenging New Zealand’s struggling opener Suzie Bates, who has recorded consecutive ducks in this edition. For the White Ferns, captain Sophie Devine has been a lone star with scores of 112 (against Australia) and 85 (against South Africa), but other batters have failed to convert their promising starts into substantial contributions. New Zealand will undoubtedly aim to exploit Bangladesh’s relatively unsettled and inexperienced batting lineup in their desperate bid to break their losing streak and climb the tournament ladder.