Sharmin Akhter stayed unbeaten on 37 as Bangladesh beat the Netherlands by six wickets at Edgbaston, Birmingham, with five balls left. Juairiya Ferdous made 50, while Netherlands captain Babette De Leede also scored 50 in the first ICC Women’s T20 World Cup match for her team.
The Netherlands, ranked 14th by the ICC, made 139 for eight after choosing to bat. Bangladesh, ranked 10th, slipped from 67 without loss to 85 for four before Sharmin and Shorna Akter steadied the chase. Caroline De Lange took two wickets in two balls, including Juairiya, but Bangladesh still won.
De Leede Leads The Netherlands Effort
After winning the toss, De Leede asked Bangladesh to field. Phebe Molkenboer hit consecutive boundaries off Marufa Akter before edging behind. Heather Siegers made 10, but Nigar Sultana took a sharp catch standing up as Fariha Trisna struck again. Rabeya Khan then took her 50th T20I wicket with her first ball.
De Leede later settled in, despite an early missed chance and a run-out scare. She added boundaries late in the innings, including back-to-back cover drives off Sanjida Akter Meghla. She reached 50 with a single, then was run out on the next ball. Iris Zwilling and Silver Siegers finished with a late stand.
Juairiya Sets Up Bangladesh Win
Bangladesh started fast, ending the powerplay on 47 without loss. Juairiya survived a chance and then attacked the deep midwicket area. She reached her fifty from 32 balls, only her second in T20Is, before falling soon after. De Lange then bowled Nigar Sultana on the next delivery.
Bangladesh slipped further when Dilara Akter was out after a review, and Juairiya departed for 50 as Bangladesh reached 79 for three. Sobhana Mostary was run out, but Sharmin and Shorna calmed the chase. Sharmin drove four late on, and Shorna finished the match with a lofted shot over mid-off.
Bangladesh made a winning start to Group A and next face Australia at Headingley on Wednesday. The Netherlands play India at the same venue in their next match.
Bangladesh vs Netherlands: Brief Scores
| Netherlands | 139/8 in 20 overs |
| Bangladesh | 141/4 in 19.1 overs |
| Top scores | Babette De Leede 50, Juairiya Ferdous 50, Sharmin Akhter 37 not out |
| Best bowling | Caroline De Lange 2/27, Marufa Akter 2/31, Silver Siegers 1/24 |
| Result | Bangladesh won by six wickets |
Story first published: Monday, June 15, 2026, 1:38 [IST]
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