SOUTHAMPTON: Nahida Akter and Shorna Akter inspired Bangladesh to a remarkable 23-run victory against Pakistan in their ICC Women’s T20 World Cup Group 1 match here at The Rose Bowl on Saturday.

Shorna scored an unbeaten 39 off 22 balls, lifting Bangladesh from 48-4 to 123-6.

In their chase, Pakistan’s 49-0 — courtesy Muneeba Ali (25) and Gull Feroza (23) — in a dramatic collapse became 84-8 by the time Nahida finished her spell of three wickets for 18. Nahida’s team-mate Shanjida Akter Meghla bagged three wickets for 21.

Pakistan were eventually restricted to 100-8, slipping to their third loss in as many outings in the global event. Earlier, the Fatima Sana-led side lost their tournament opener to arch-rivals India by 64 runs in Birmingham and then suffered a two-wicket defeat at the hands of South Africa at the same venue.

Bangladesh, meanwhile, boo­sted their semi-final hopes as they moved up to the third spot with two wins in three games, achieving two victories in a single T20 World Cup for the first time since the 2014 edition.

THIRD CONSECUTIVE WIN FOR AUSTRALIA

Earlier on Saturday, Australia earned a third convincing win at the event when they crushed the Netherlands by 98 runs at the same venue.

Australia reached 200 in the World Cup for the first time and equalled the highest-ever tournament total, 219-6. The Netherlands in the chase were restricted to 121-3.

Australian opener Beth Mooney retired on 74 off 42 balls with a stiff back but recovered later. Mooney shared 50 off 28 balls for the opening wicket with Georgia Voll (17) and 101 off 55 with Ash Gardner (58), who returned from an ankle sprain.

Georgia Wareham swept Australia past 200 with 41 off 18.

The Netherlands, appearing in their first World Cup, were never going to chase down 220 but captain Babette de Leede and Sterre Kalis combined for 96 from 91 balls from the fourth over to the 19th. Kalis, dropped on 21 and 40, was bowled for 44 and de Leede made 56 not out off 57.

On Friday, New Zealand kept their hopes of defending their crown alive with a thrilling four-run win over Ireland in Southampton.

Defeat for the Kiwis, who had lost their previous two games, would have left them teetering on the brink of an early flight home but instead they move up to fourth in Group Two.

However, they are not out of the woods yet as they may need to win their final two group games and rely on other results going their way.

The Irish are all but out of contention for a place in the last four after coming tantalisingly close to their first win in the history of the tournament at the 20th attempt.

New Zealand, who had to cope with the late withdrawal of talismanic all-rounder Sophie Devine who was sick, were restricted to 140-6 off their 20 overs.

The Irish looked poised to cause an upset as captain Gaby Lewis (58) and Orla Prendergast (59) put on a 110-run partnership for the second wicket.

However, the champions hit back, taking three wickets — including both Lewis and Prendergast — to wrest back the momentum. Ireland finished on 136-4.

New Zealand’s Melie Kerr scored 30 and then took two wickets for 23.

Published in Dawn, June 21st, 2026