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Bangladesh women’s national cricket team thrashed Kenya by 80 runs in their second match of the ICC Commonwealth Games Qualifiers in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia on Wednesday.
After posting 125 batting first, left-arm spinner Nahida Akter’s five-wicket haul bundled Kenya out for just 45. Nahida’s figures of 5-12 are the best T20I figures by a Bangladeshi bowler.
This win takes Bangladesh to the top of the table with two wins in two matches, and if they can keep their spot, they will qualify for the 2022 Commonwealth Games.
Winning the toss, Kenya skipper Margaret Ngoche opted to field first. And they had a dream start as Bangladesh were down to 50-5 within nine overs. Only opener Murshida Khatun (26) managed to reach double figures from the top six, with Kenya’s Queentor Abel picking up three wickets.
But from there on, Salma Khatun and Ritu Moni put together an unbeaten 75-run stand to take Bangladesh to 125-5 at the end of their innings.
Salma stayed unbeaten on 33 off 32 deliveries, with Ritu staying undefeated on 39 off 34 deliveries.
In reply, Kenya lost their openers, Abel and Veronica Abuga, within the second over. And in the next over, Sylvia Kinyua was run out for a golden duck.
Nahida struck first in the seventh over when she removed Ngoche before Rumana Ahmed sent back Sarah Wetoto in the next.
Nahida then bowled Esther Wachira, Mercyline Ochieng, and Venasa Ooko for ducks, reducing Kenya to 39-8.
Sanjida Akter Meghla removed Sharon Juma (24), the only Kenyan batsman to reach double figures.
Nahida then returned in the 13th over to pick her fifth wicket of the match as she sent back Lavendah Idambo to bowl Kenya out for 45.
After the match, Nahida said, “Thanks to my teammates, they always supported me. I always try to bowl good line and lengths, getting wickets is a matter of luck.”
After the win, Bangladesh skipper Nigar Sultana Joty said that their bowlers showed character on the day.
“Victory is always awesome. I think Kenya used the conditions very well. But we managed to fight back. We have very good bowlers and they showed character today,” the Bangladesh skipper said.
