Hayley Matthews has been the spine of West Indies all through the match on account of her match-winning performances and management.
Hayley Matthews led from the entrance as West Indies Girls cruised to an eight-wicket victory over Bangladesh Girls in a vital ICC Girls’s T20 World Cup encounter, holding their semi-final hopes alive.
Matthews delivered a standout all-round efficiency, contributing each with the bat and ball to safe a dominant win for her facet. Her quickfire 34 off 22 balls within the run chase set the tone for a straightforward victory, whereas her bowling helped prohibit Bangladesh to a below-par complete.
After electing to bat first, Bangladesh may solely muster 103 for eight of their 20 overs, a complete that was by no means more likely to hassle a West Indian facet in kind. Bangladesh’s batting was anchored by their captain Nigar Sultana Joty, who fought valiantly with a well-constructed 39 off 44 balls.
Joty’s innings not solely helped her facet attain a decent rating but additionally noticed her turn out to be the primary Bangladeshi girl to cross the milestone of 2000 T20I runs, marking a historic second in her profession.
Nevertheless, Joty’s effort was not sufficient to offset the harm inflicted by the West Indies bowlers, significantly Karishma Ramharack. The off-spinner was the decide of the West Indies assault, returning spectacular figures of 4 for 17. She was additionally adjudged the Participant of the Match for her excellent spell.
Ramharack, alongside Afy Fletcher, who claimed two key wickets, ensured Bangladesh struggled to construct momentum all through their innings.
Fletcher dismissed Taj Nehar and Shorna Akter, leaving Bangladesh with few choices to speed up the scoring. Matthews added to the strain by eradicating Joty within the ultimate over, ending Bangladesh’s innings at 103 for 8.
Chasing 104, West Indies acquired off to a blistering begin, with Matthews and Stafanie Taylor combining for a 52-run opening partnership. Matthews, recognized for her aggressive stroke play, took cost early on, dispatching the Bangladesh bowlers to all components of the bottom.
She smashed 5 boundaries in her 34-run knock, offering the West Indies with the right platform to chase down the goal. Sadly, her innings was lower quick when she was dismissed by Marufa Akter, however by then, the harm had already been accomplished.
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Stafanie Taylor, who made 27 off 29 balls, additionally performed a vital function within the chase earlier than being pressured to retire damage. Regardless of her departure, the West Indies batters by no means regarded in hassle. Shemaine Campbelle contributed 21 off 16 balls earlier than Deandra Dottin completed the match in model, smashing 19 not out off simply 7 deliveries. Dottin’s highly effective hitting, together with two sixes within the ultimate overs, sealed the victory with 43 balls to spare.
This victory locations West Indies in a robust place within the group levels, bringing them nearer to a semi-final spot. The win was essential for the Caribbean facet as they moved to the highest of the factors desk, bolstered by a wholesome internet run fee. With Matthews main by instance and their bowlers in positive kind, West Indies are peaking on the proper time on this match.
For Bangladesh, it was one other disappointing outing as their batting lineup as soon as once more didn’t ship below strain. Whereas Joty’s milestone was a shiny spot, the shortage of contributions from different batters left them with an excessive amount of to do towards a disciplined West Indies bowling assault.
Bangladesh’s hopes of advancing within the match now hinge on their ultimate group match towards South Africa, the place they are going to want an enormous efficiency to maintain their semi-final desires alive.
As for West Indies, with Hayley Matthews on the helm, they are going to be assured heading into their remaining matches. Matthews has been the spine of her group all through the match, and her management, mixed with match-winning performances, makes West Indies a formidable contender for the title. This victory additional cements their place as one of many groups to look at within the race for the Girls’s T20 World Cup.
