Bangkok, Thailand (BBN)-Rumana Ahmed starred with the ball as Bangladesh Women qualified for the ICC Women’s World Twenty20 India 2016, scoring a comfortable 31-run victory over Zimbabwe Women in the first semifinal of the ICC Women’s World Twenty20 Qualifier Thailand 2015 in Bangkok on Thursday (December 3).
Put in to bat, Bangladesh made 89 for 5 from its 20 overs and then bowled Zimbabwe out for 58 in just 19.1 overs at the Terdthai Cricket Ground, reports the ICC.
Asked to bat first, Bangladesh lost its first three batters with just 10 runs on the board, Josephine Nkomo striking twice in the fifth over.
Sharmin Akhter and Fargana Hoque steadied the ship with a fourth-wicket stand of 51 in 62 deliveries.
While Sharmin made 22 off 34 deliveries, Fargana top-scored with a run-a-ball 43 which contained four fours, before both were run out.
"From the beginning, we were under a little pressure. The wicket wasn't good, it was on the slower side," said Jahanara Alam, the Bangladesh Women captain.
"But Sharmin and Fargana got a very good partnership, which is why we reached 89. We had the confidence, we knew if we scored 80-plus, then we have a strong bowling and fielding side. We again proved that we are a good side."
Nkomo grabbed 2 for 12 from her four overs while Audrey Mazvishaya was equally economical, with 1 for 12 from her four overs.
Zimbabwe’s chase never took off once it lost its first wicket in the fourth over with the score on 14.
That set the stage for Rumana, the legspinner, to weave her magic. Rumana picked up 4 for 8 from her four overs, inclusive of two maidens, as only Pellagia Mujaji could reach double figures for Zimbabwe.
It took Rumana’s tally for the tournament to 12 wickets from four matches, and won her a second player of the match award in the competition.
Fahima Khatun and Shaila Sharmin complemented her with two wickets each.
"The team is very happy, there is a lot of excitement today," said Alam.
"This is the first time we have qualified for the Women's Word T20. Last time, we directly played in the event, but this time we needed to qualify, and we're very happy."
BBN/SK/AD