Guwahati, Oct 10 (UNI) New Zealand Women registered their first win of the ICC Women’s World Cup 2025, bouncing back from defeats to Australia and South Africa, with a dominant 100-run victory over Bangladesh Women in the 11th match at Barsapara Cricket Stadium here today.
Electing to bat after winning the toss, New Zealand posted a competitive 227 for 9 in 50 overs, with captain Sophie Devine (63), Suzie Bates, and Brooke Halliday leading the scoring. Bangladesh, in reply, struggled against disciplined Kiwi bowling and were all out for 127 in 39.5 overs.
Batting first, New Zealand’s innings began cautiously as Georgia Plimmer fell early, stumped by Nigar Sultana off Rabeya Khan for 4. Bates then steadied the innings with a series of calculated drives and cuts, racing to 29 before being run out following a mix-up with Amelia Kerr.
Bates’ knock included several boundaries off Marufa Akter, notably a crisp pull for four in the 5th over and a cut through cover for another four in the 4th over. Amelia Kerr was dismissed cheaply for 1 by Rabeya Khan in the 11th over, while Halliday built a solid partnership, hitting a six off Shorna Akter and multiple boundaries off Fahima Khatun and Nishita Akter Nishi, eventually scoring 69 before being caught by Nigar Sultana.
Sophie Devine produced a captain’s knock of 63, punctuated by a flurry of boundaries and two sixes against Nishita Akter Nishi in the 43rd over. The middle and lower order, including Maddy Green (23) and Isabella Gaze (12), added valuable runs, with Lea Tahuhu and Eden Carson remaining unbeaten to ensure New Zealand reached 227.
The final overs featured aggressive hitting from Tahuhu, who scored 12 runs off the last over bowled by Marufa Akter, including a six and two boundaries. Marufa also dismissed Isabella in the penultimate over, as New Zealand lost wickets at the death but still posted a strong total.
Bangladesh’s chase never got off the ground. Early dismissals of Rubya Haider and Sharmin Akhter left them struggling at 13 for 2. Fahima Khatun top-scored with 28, while Nahida Akter offered some resistance with 17, and Rabeya Khan (25) tried to stabilise the innings, but wickets kept tumbling.
Jess Kerr and Rosemary Mair shared crucial breakthroughs, with Jess Kerr taking three wickets. Bangladesh were eventually bowled out for 127 in 39.5 overs, handing New Zealand a comprehensive 100-run victory.
The match was highlighted by tight fielding and intelligent bowling from New Zealand, who capitalised on early breakthroughs and applied constant pressure, finally turning around their campaign with a convincing win.
