Women’s World Twenty20 qualifiers begin
There were impressive wins for Bangladesh and Ireland as the ICC Women’s World Twenty20 Qualifier got underway in Bangkok yesterday with Bangladesh beating Thailand by 73 runs and Ireland overcoming the Netherlands by eight wickets.
Thailand began well as they allowed Bangladesh to score only 105 for 6 in their 20 overs.
Ayasha Rahman top-scored with 30 for the visitors but Thailand's Nattaya Boochatham took 2 for 22 and promising leg-spinner Suleeporn Laomi 2 for 17.
Batting proved a different matter for the home side as they were bowled out for just 32 in 14.4 overs.
The first match of the day saw Ireland convincingly defeat the Netherlands, with openers Clare Shillington (33) and Cecilia Joyce (39) sharing a stand of 74. Isobel Joyce claimed 3 for 18 from her 4 overs to restrict the Netherlands to 90 for 6.
In the afternoon matches, Scotland beat Papua New Guinea by eight wickets at the Thailand Cricket Ground after bowling them out for 53. Zimbabwe were also convincing winners over China at the Asian Institute of Technology.
All eight teams play their second matches today.
The top two teams in each group will reach the semi-finals with two berths for the ICC Women’s World Twenty20 up for grabs.