Hosts of the ICC Women’s World Cup Qualifier, Bangladesh, have secured One-Day International status after Salma Khatun’s side beat USA in a low-scoring fixture.
Ireland defeated fellow European qualifier and ODI side Netherlands to retain its ODI status – the result means that Netherlands have lost their ODI status for the women’s side. Bangladesh and Ireland will now meet on Saturday in the 5th/6th play-off for the tournament.
In the semi-final fixtures Pakistan defeated South Africa to secure a place in the final which will be played on Saturday at the Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium (SBNCS).
Pakistan beat pre-tournament favourites South Africa. Having come into the tournament ranked fifth in the world, the South Africans are certain to drop down the rankings after eighth placed Pakistan defeated the side by three wickets.
South Africa posted just 180 in its 50 overs with captain Mignon du Preez providing the most runs for the side. Asmavia Iqbal proved the pick of the Pakistani bowling attack as the fast bowler from Multan claimed three wickets for just 15 runs.
Asmavia’s run with the ball saw the 23-year-old dismiss opener Shandre Fritz, Kirstie Thomson and Sunette Loubser, while Pakistan showed its pace in the field as it ran out three of the South African middle-order.
In reply, Pakistan played a patient innings to reach the target of 181, despite losing both Sana Mir and Nida Dar for ducks. The side ensured partnerships were made and Javeria Wadood’s healthy contribution of 47 had the side well on its way to defeating Du Preez’s team.
Fittingly it was up to Asmavia, alongside Marina Iqbal to score the winning runs for Pakistan and secure it a place in the final of the ICC Women’s World Cup Qualifier. Win or lose, Pakistan are guaranteed a rise up the Reliance ICC Women’s ODI Team Rankings at the conclusion of the tournament. Currently ranked eighth in the world, Sana’s team can rise to either fifth or sixth in the global rankings.
Facing Pakistan will be Merissa’ Aguilleira’s West Indies after the Americas side beat Sri Lanka in a high-scoring showdown at Khanshaheb Osman Ali Stadium by 58 runs.
At the most anticipated match of the day for the hosts, Bangladesh won the toss and Salma made the decision to send the USA into bat – a decision that paid off for the home side.
Salma’s bowlers proved difficult to score runs off. Doris Francis led from the front for the Americans, top scoring for the team with 23 runs, but the rest of the team struggled to make runs.
In-form batter Shebani Bhaskar took 51 balls to make just 13 runs before she departed after being caught and bowled by Suktara Rahaman. Things didn’t get much better for USA with Khadiza-Tul Kubra showing her great worth as a spin bowler – the 16-year-old claiming 4-20 in her allotted 10 overs.
Kubra dismissed three of the USA’s key middle-order batters, Durga Das, Nadia Gruny and Erica Rendler – tempting two of the three into striking the ball into the safe hands of Panna Ghosh and Suktara.
Bangladesh’s bowling once again proved the winner with the entire USA line-up being bowled out for just 78, but not before Francis’ side had played some 47 overs.
In response, Bangladesh lost a wicket early on after Ayesha Akhter was dismissed for just nine runs, the 27-year-old being declared leg-before off the bowling of Triholder Marshall. It was then up to Suktara and Fargana Pinky to secure another win for Bangladesh, in addition to a place in the fifth/sixth play-off and the ODI status for the first-ever time.
In the major European clash of the day, Helmien Rambaldo’s side took on old foes Ireland led by Isobel Joyce which would ultimately see one team walk away without its ODI status.
Having won the toss, Rambaldo elected to bat first and the Dutch side managed to amass 139 in its 50 overs during an average bowling performance from the Irish side. Joyce’s side gave away some 25 extras but also failed to bowl in the right areas to dismiss the Dutch for less in the first innings.
Eimear Richardson claimed two wickets, but the 25-year-old gave away some 34 runs in the process, the most economical of the Irish bowlers being the young Elena Tice who claimed 1-22 in her 10 overs. The Dutch side never managed to get going and the innings never really took off.
In response, Ireland’s top order failed to fire, struggling against Kerry-Anne Tomlinson and Leonie Bennett and also laboured in reaching its target.
That being said, Ireland still managed to finish proceedings off and retain its ODI status midway through the 32nd over. The side will now face Bangladesh in an ODI at BKSP 2 on Saturday.
