Bangladesh opened their ICC Women’s T20 World Cup 2026 campaign with a six-wicket win over the Netherlands at Edgbaston, chasing down the 140-run target thanks to a brilliant half-century from opener Joyria Firdous. Shermin Akhtar.Chasing 140 for victory, Bangladesh started cautiously as the Dutch bowlers maintained excellent control in the opening exchanges. The batsmen managed to score only eight runs in the first two overs, preferring to protect the wickets.The momentum changed in the third over when Jawaria Firdous broke the pair with a boundary. The opener enjoyed a lucky moment soon after when Ruben Rijke made a chance, allowing him to continue his innings. Firdous made Holland pay immediately, hitting back-to-back boundaries and putting the chase firmly on track.Along with Dalara Akhtar, who provided stability at the other end, Firdous helped Bangladesh get off to a strong start. The opening pair skilfully negotiated the power play to take the score to 47 for no loss after six overs.Firdous then accelerated further, reaching his fifty in just 32 balls. The landmark came in style when he hit Caroline de Lange for a six in the eighth over. However, the Dutch bowler quickly responded by dismissing the Bangladeshi opener on the following ball. Firdous departed after an entertaining innings of 50 runs studded with seven fours and two sixes.The wicket sparked a brief period of Dutch dominance. De Lange hit another boundary on the very next ball to remove the Bangladesh skipper. Nigar Sultana For a duck, suddenly giving the Netherlands a way back into the competition.Bangladesh’s woes deepened when the Silver Seagers bowled Dalara Akhtar for 26 in the 11th over. Sobhana Mostrey then fell on the run out attempting a quick single, leaving Bangladesh at 85/4 under pressure.Shermin Akhtar and Sharna Akhtar, however, ensured that there would be no further setbacks. The pair brilliantly combined for an unbeaten stand of 56 runs off just 43 balls to control the chase before ending the match comfortably.Sherman was unbeaten on 37 with four fours, while Shaurna was unbeaten on 18 and sealed the victory with a six. Bangladesh made a successful start to their World Cup campaign by reaching 141/4 in 19.1 overs.On the first day, Netherlands won the toss and elected to bat first but found it difficult to score against Bangladesh’s discipline. The innings got off to a slow start before opener Phoebe Molkenbauer picked up the tempo briefly with two fours in the second over. His stay was short-lived as the renowned actor showed an edge which was collected by wicketkeeper Nigar Sultana.Heather Seegers played positively during her 16-run partnership, but she too fell behind Fariha Tarsna. Holland reached 40/2 at the end of the powerplay but struggled to build a meaningful partnership thereafter.Bangladesh’s wickets continued to fall. The stray calls were bowled by Rabia Khan, while Ruben Rijke’s innings ended when Marufa Akhtar took a sharp return catch. Sania Khurana also failed to make an impact, managing just one run.Amid the fallout around him, captain Babette de Lied played a crucial innings to keep the Netherlands competitive. He rotated the strike effectively, finding boundaries at crucial moments and anchoring the batting effort as wickets fell at the other end.D-Lead finally scored a well-deserved half-century off 45 balls when he was run out trying for the second run. His innings of 50 included five fours and formed the backbone of the Dutch total.A useful late partnership from Iris Zeuling, who scored 13 runs, and Silver Seegers, who remained not out for 10 runs, helped the Netherlands reach 139/8 in 20 overs.However, Bangladesh’s batting depth ultimately proved decisive as Firdous’ attacking fifty and an unbeaten partnership between Sherman and Shurna led the Asian side to a comfortable victory and a triumphant start to the tournament.Brief scores: Netherlands 139/8 (Babbet de Ledde 50, Heather Segers 16; Marufa Akter 2/31) lost to Bangladesh 141/4 (Javiria Firdous 50, Shermin Akhtar 37*) by six wickets.
