Bangladesh notched up their successive third win defeating USA by five wickets in the ongoing ICC Women’s Under-19 cricket World Cup on Wednesday at Benoni.
By virtue of winning all their Group D matches Bangladesh women stormed into the Super Six phase as the group champions.
Meanwhile, USA deciding to bat first in good conditions in Benoni, saw an early damage with losing opener Laasya Mullapudi, and had to struggle much throughout the innings and finally managed to score 103 runs for four wickets in allotted 20 overs.
Disha Biswas initiated the attack with disciplined bowling along with her opening partner Marufa Akter to strike at the early stage of USA batting.
Disha Biswas, who claimed three wickets in two matches was in fiery approach from her first over when she bowled a maiden first over up in an exceptional start with making the first breakthrough on 11 in the third ball in her second over conceding only one run.
USA had nothing to lose in the match but to have pride against Bangladesh, as they suffered defeat in the previous two matches and struggled to fire at least to taste a victory when opener Disha Dhinga and one down Snigdha Paul fought well in the second wicket stand to score an impressive 57 runs from 9.5 overs.
But both Disha Dhinga and Snigdha Paul got out in a short period when the batters left the team on 68 runs.
Disha Snigdha, who scored 20 runs from 39 deliveries was run out (Shorna Akter) and Disha Biswas again struck to bowl out Snigdha Paul for 26 runs.
Bangladesh, who kept their well-balanced tight bowling attack, conceded USA batters to amass a respectable 103 runs.
In reply Bangladesh chasing a moderate target of 104 made against USA had to struggle to win the group last match after making a strong campaign in the first edition of the Eve’s Under-19 World Cup tournament on a high note defeating the top favourites, Australia, and kept the intensity with a gorgeous victory over Sri Lanka.
On the day, Bangladesh brought a change in their opening stand with Somiya opening with Afifa Prottasa, but they made a disappointing start with leaving the team on 21 for two wickets.
After opener Somiya fell in the 3.3 overs for eight runs, Prottasa started slowly and unexpectedly got out for 10 runs.
Bangladesh batters, in their previous matches though saw early disasters but survived well at the middle and ultimately won the matches without facing any further damage.
But against USA, comparatively weaker opponents, the batters struggled much to dominate the opponents’ bowlers as they had to play 17.4 overs and lost five wickets to reach the paltry target of 104 runs.
Dilara, Rabeya, Disha Biswas, none could stay for long at the crease as they just followed the foot-steps of the openers when they went cheaply for 17, 22 and 10 runs respectively.
Finally, Shorna and Mishty finished successfully to help the Tigresses win the match by five wickets.